tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64760923581125549122024-02-02T16:25:30.962-05:00NaturefinderMarine Ecosystems, Seabirds, Snorkeling, Ecotourism, Human-Wildlife Issuesnaturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-68245963072638817282017-02-10T09:16:00.000-05:002017-02-10T09:16:06.794-05:00Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts: Albatross Adoptions to the Rescue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lei Heart - © Wayne Sentman</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Did you know that Albatross pairs mate for life, and that in order to raise a chick to fledging that both parents must be work together to care for their chick. That Albatross can live over 60-years, and that the oldest known aged seabird is a Laysan Albatross named <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Midway_Atoll/wildlife_and_habitat/Wisdom_Profile.html" target="_blank">Wisdom</a>, still having chicks and living on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge since 1956.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laysan Albatross "dancer" - Midway Atoll NWR © Wayne Sentman</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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What better way to say I LOVE YOU and demonstrate your never-ending devotion, than by <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/adopt/adopt-an-albatross" target="_blank">adopting an albatross chick</a> for your Valentine. Your adoption will be for one of this years newly hatched chicks. Your Valentine will receive an adoption certificate, and from now until the end of summer, periodic updates from field researchers living on <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Midway_Atoll/about.html" target="_blank">Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge </a>about how this year’s nesting population of Laysan and Black-footed Albatross are doing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mated pair of Laysan Albatross tending egg - © W. Holthuijzen</td></tr>
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Proceeds from your adoption will go to help support the long-term seabird habitat restoration efforts our partners at <a href="http://www.friendsofmidway.org/" target="_blank">Friends of Midway Atoll</a> and <a href="http://kureatollconservancy.org/" target="_blank">Kure Atoll Conservancy</a> are working to accomplish. The rest of the adoption funds will be used to assist Oceanic Society with its efforts to promote the reduction of plastic pollution through our <a href="https://www.oceanicsociety.org/blog/1834/dragons-to-debris-an-oceanic-society-expedition-to-komodo" target="_blank">education outreach projects</a> and <a href="https://www.oceanicsociety.org/projects?section=blue-habits" target="_blank">Blue Habits</a> initiatives.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laysan Albatross pair Midway Atoll NWR - © W. Holthuijzen</td></tr>
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If you want to put that sparkle in your lover’s eyes, and show him or her that you have found your life-mate – then I can think of no better symbol for that than presenting your Valentine with a newly adopted albatross. <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/adopt/adopt-an-albatross" target="_blank">Adopt one here now</a>!<br /><br />naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-5379993708986504972016-02-05T16:32:00.000-05:002016-02-05T16:32:57.812-05:00Wisdom - The 65 year old Wonder on Midway Atoll<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wisdom feeds her chick in March of 2011 © W.Sentman</td></tr>
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Wisdom the albatross is 15 years my senior. And we have been friends since at least 2002. That is the year I moved off of Midway Atoll after having lived there for four years. Right before I left Midway I had the opportunity to meet <a href="http://blog.aba.org/2012/10/chandler-s-robbins-birding-legend.html" target="_blank">Chandler Robbins</a>, and watch him at 84 y/o, down on all fours banding adult Laysan Albatross solo. I was impressed at his technique and his determination to make sure that any albatross walking around with an older band was rebanded. It was during Chan's visit in 2002 that he re-encountered a female Laysan Albatross that he had banded 46 years earlier as a 40 y/o man in 1956. That bird would later be named Wisdom and I would find myself following her over the next 14 years as she gained more and more <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/30/worlds-oldest-tracked-bird-wisdom-laysan-albatross-midway-atoll" target="_blank">notoriety</a> around the globe as the oldest known seabird.<br />
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Today <a href="http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Midway_Atoll/wildlife_and_habitat/Wisdom_Profile.html" target="_blank">Wisdom</a> is at least 65 years old (she was banded as an unknown age adult). She is currently with her mate on Sand Island, at <a href="http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Midway_Atoll/" target="_blank">Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge</a> incubating an egg! Yes that is correct Wisdom is still producing chicks at 65 years old. <br />
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If all goes well Wisdom and her mate's egg should be hatching as I post this. Stay tune for updates from the USFWS that should be announcing when the chick does hatch. Also, there is a contest to name Wisdom's mate with the winning name to be made public soon. Watch @Hawaiireef on Twitter.<br />
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You can also help Wisdom and her many progeny by <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/adopt/adopt-an-albatross" target="_blank">adopting an Albatross chick</a> from Midway Atoll through the <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/" target="_blank">Oceanic Society</a>. Funds from your adoption go to support seabird habitat conservation on Midway, and marine plastic pollution awareness. This program is conducted in partnership with the <a href="http://friendsofmidway.org/" target="_blank">Friends of Midway Atoll </a>and the <a href="http://kureatollconservancy.org/" target="_blank">Kure Atoll Conservancy</a>. In addition to Wisdom and her family, over 70% of the world's Laysan Albatross population call Midway home. There are few better ways to support the conservation of albatross than by making that the world's largest albatross colony has the <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/valuing-volunteers-midway-atoll-relies-on-free-labor.html" target="_blank">proper habitat</a> available on their breeding sites.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outplanting native bunch grass at Midway 2015</td></tr>
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naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-74784973168762929312015-12-22T10:20:00.000-05:002015-12-30T11:09:09.711-05:00Albatross Adoption - To Benefit North Paciific Albatross<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaVBHwe773UDsNYKxMtDe65mKPgpHETXOt47mHPvTiobQ8goBi7YkeqrNUgpRJ7F6M5pJR2JtakohARpWPRaD3SLNA95lzv_0vK4N1AZrs5QolTxg7lztmlyv6clFXscTofla8K1v51Q/s1600/Layfly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaVBHwe773UDsNYKxMtDe65mKPgpHETXOt47mHPvTiobQ8goBi7YkeqrNUgpRJ7F6M5pJR2JtakohARpWPRaD3SLNA95lzv_0vK4N1AZrs5QolTxg7lztmlyv6clFXscTofla8K1v51Q/s320/Layfly.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laysan Albatross chick ready to fledge - Midway Atoll © W. Sentman</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/" target="_blank">Oceanic Society</a> has been bringing visiting to
<a href="http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Midway_Atoll/" target="_blank">Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge</a> (MANWR) since 1997. Over that time,
our travelers have become acutely aware of the impacts on wildlife of plastic
pollution accumulating in our oceans. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCV4fMnCsP3TERNRfgbOa9-NFAYXehDjur4y4OqVvDH1fyalMJl8by1v6eRdv9k9YWKKWKDoAT4JQ3i1y8oMITvv1s7U8oUIKdPDEGMRIVe7FRY2igi22w18JrQoQRVg0fxhURN4ZZmE/s1600/IMG_1819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCV4fMnCsP3TERNRfgbOa9-NFAYXehDjur4y4OqVvDH1fyalMJl8by1v6eRdv9k9YWKKWKDoAT4JQ3i1y8oMITvv1s7U8oUIKdPDEGMRIVe7FRY2igi22w18JrQoQRVg0fxhURN4ZZmE/s320/IMG_1819.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oceanic Society visitor group Eastern Island Midway Atoll NWR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">In spite of its remote location in the
Northwest Hawaiian Islands, Midway Atoll serves as the “<a href="http://marinedebrisart.blogspot.com/2011/02/midway-atoll-plastic-pollution-inspires.html" target="_blank">poster child</a>” for
plastic pollution and the oceanic <a href="http://education.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/ocean-gyre/" target="_blank">gyres</a> that is concentrates in. As the atoll’s
primary residents, and with feeding areas alongside these gyres, the Laysan and
Black-footed albatross are seemingly the most impacted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These seabirds are known to ingest some of
the highest amounts of plastic of any seabird species. Adult albatross consume
the plastic trash when foraging out at sea, and unknowingly pass it on to their
own developing chicks. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xP_DB8i4KYoM2-mpH_ROkPkz-mGvaHOq9ZX2ebXA16cqGRJEjHg_JE61O2huoK9emajkBMKwETQQzzY8yh148sUmzZTJqen-5sTsbULHctZxp49iQ-FkGd3U3AdGNUASY387ucQsyUY/s1600/_MG_9720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xP_DB8i4KYoM2-mpH_ROkPkz-mGvaHOq9ZX2ebXA16cqGRJEjHg_JE61O2huoK9emajkBMKwETQQzzY8yh148sUmzZTJqen-5sTsbULHctZxp49iQ-FkGd3U3AdGNUASY387ucQsyUY/s320/_MG_9720.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plastic pollution found inside dead albatross © W. Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The chicks are not able to regurgitate objects until
later in their lifecycle, so many of them basically become repositories of
plastic waste, and a “test tube” for the impact our increasing dependence on
single use – “disposable plastic” may be having on wildlife and ultimately us. The breeding albatross at the far northwest of the Hawaiian Island chain (Kure and Midway Atolls) consume some of the highest amounts of plastic <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0007623" target="_blank">relative to the other breeding sites</a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">To date we do not have a full understanding of
what impacts this plastic may be having on the overall albatross populations in
the North Pacific. However, most agree that on seeing, either through graphic
photos of dead chicks with chest cavities full of plastic, or with <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14859155" target="_blank">firsthand experience</a> through visits to their breeding grounds, any amount of plastic
pollution ending up in these majestic birds and their vulnerable chicks is
something we as a community, should take responsibility for, regardless of
impacts. Just as 100% of the albatross chicks on Midway & Kure Atoll have
plastic in them, 100% of visitors who depart these grand wildlife sanctuaries, leave
wanting to do more to help remedy this terrible problem. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">It is with great excitement that Oceanic Society launches their
<a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/adopt/adopt-an-albatross" target="_blank">Albatross Adoption Program</a> in 2015 </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">To address these concerns more effectively </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">To develop a program that will engage people to
become more aware of their role in the problem </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">To generate greater attention on the global issue
of plastic pollution in our oceans, alongside a fact-based awareness of the
possible impacts on seabirds. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The public has
already begun to <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/adopt/adopt-an-albatross" target="_blank">adopt Laysan and Black-footed Albatross chicks </a></span><a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/adopt/adopt-an-albatross" target="_blank">
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</style> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">on the Oceanic Society website </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">, and
enthusiasm for the Albatross Adoption Program is building. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfiTZjHSx0JLYeaWMhYd1fUNGHSkD8jGyZlukmQs0omBl3EMbCOyXXlLsNzCjoU44DQgx7c4oPPQuSjWRPS2KGDrvqRJSKjB5Tf-GQLastsOucmTsYcWKfYHyhrk1S5P_TlngNkKn-Rs/s1600/Outplanting3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfiTZjHSx0JLYeaWMhYd1fUNGHSkD8jGyZlukmQs0omBl3EMbCOyXXlLsNzCjoU44DQgx7c4oPPQuSjWRPS2KGDrvqRJSKjB5Tf-GQLastsOucmTsYcWKfYHyhrk1S5P_TlngNkKn-Rs/s320/Outplanting3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers outplanting native species on albatross breeding grounds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Each adoption directly aids albatross population resiliency by
supporting both habitat restoration programs as well as monitoring
efforts on their key breeding colonies in the Northwest Hawaiian
Islands. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The work on the ground is being done by our partners, the </span><a href="http://friendsofmidway.org/"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Friends
of Midway Atoll</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> and the </span><a href="http://kureatollconservancy.org/"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Kure Atoll Conservancy</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">.
With a generous initial pledge from Spiritual Revolution Yoga (who are
producing a PVC-free “</span><a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/store"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Soaring
Albatross</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">” yoga mat that directly supports our <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/adopt/adopt-an-albatross" target="_blank">AlbatrossAdoption campaign</a>) we are ready to start creating an army of Albatross
Ambassadors. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">By adopting an albatross you will help to make a difference: </span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">By supporting the efforts to counteract the potential impacts of plastic pollution</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">You will receive monthly updates over the
course of the breeding season (Nov. - July)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">In May of each adoption year plastic from the breeding colonies in the North Pacific will be sent to you so you can help educate others
about the problem. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Your will help be part of a global movement to advocate for cleaner oceans. </span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oNSII9CLM8sgSEoLviSYehi_gFaLqgV8KBleOmf6tRIvdCo9ts2bA1wEhFvueackv8aIMuhqoyNOBhSzeUekoavEoi3wB4uMINMlBVffp4c_B0u32PQF1pYBQ8U6l9lzweSt60AXitc/s1600/LAALflightApr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oNSII9CLM8sgSEoLviSYehi_gFaLqgV8KBleOmf6tRIvdCo9ts2bA1wEhFvueackv8aIMuhqoyNOBhSzeUekoavEoi3wB4uMINMlBVffp4c_B0u32PQF1pYBQ8U6l9lzweSt60AXitc/s320/LAALflightApr.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laysan Albatross in flight Midway Atoll NWR © W. Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></li>
</ul>
naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-77123568761156252992015-04-15T12:52:00.000-04:002015-04-15T12:53:49.890-04:00Whale Research – A Key to Protecting Raja Ampat and the Coral Triangle <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxpuJgU3RTu7tPbdeDp55R54v8gre6Y4erPtn8DKj-Q22szytu78aacPeQ3qbMu4jcsRlWIjdD-SGjeX92vTXG_Sr36-Ob4C0Hue87LPeF_A5L6Z-YZJjmZYBTS_NsnGjQki03Parm3Q/s1600/IMG_3283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxpuJgU3RTu7tPbdeDp55R54v8gre6Y4erPtn8DKj-Q22szytu78aacPeQ3qbMu4jcsRlWIjdD-SGjeX92vTXG_Sr36-Ob4C0Hue87LPeF_A5L6Z-YZJjmZYBTS_NsnGjQki03Parm3Q/s1600/IMG_3283.jpg" height="128" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The islands of (the not so) Secret Bay of Raja Ampat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This past February <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/" target="_blank">Oceanic Society</a> fielded its
inaugural group on the famed Raja Ampat liveaboard the <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pindito</i></b>. The <b><i>Pindito</i></b> pioneered underwater exploration in the region
and has been one of its longest active leaders in working to promote marine
conservation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were a group of 13 avid
snorkelers excited to be spending 12 days exploring the most biodiverse
tropical reef ecosystem on the planet, the <a href="http://birdsheadseascape.com/about-the-birds-head-seascape/" target="_blank">Bird’s HeadSeascape</a>. Accompanying our group was cetacean researcher Benjamin Kahn.
Benjamin is based in Bali and has been studying the whales of the coral triangle
for over a decade. </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
of Benjamin's main research interest are the Indo-Pacific migratory corridors
of east Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands; and the importance
of these narrow yet deep passages for large migratory marine life such as Blue
and Sperm whales. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDWoch8Ot44OV2GUnigeGjA2Q-Ttts6kaeDTNwXojdCtYIWNvpR3iLmX_oOxcCVZ8Uhe2DsA6Ijsf6-_8kj5sH5QB4cNys0LCwTryFN2BT_0tj1jcGUY13h82lsf4wDw_QI_oLM2xtfE/s1600/GOPR0914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDWoch8Ot44OV2GUnigeGjA2Q-Ttts6kaeDTNwXojdCtYIWNvpR3iLmX_oOxcCVZ8Uhe2DsA6Ijsf6-_8kj5sH5QB4cNys0LCwTryFN2BT_0tj1jcGUY13h82lsf4wDw_QI_oLM2xtfE/s1600/GOPR0914.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snorkeler in Raja Ampat above lush Soft Corals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/raja-ampat-snorkeling-whale-watching">Our
group charter</a> was going to provide him with valuable research time in the
Raja Ampat waters, where we would spend the mornings and afternoons snorkeling
and then the mid-day surveying for cetaceans. Benjamin has been doing these
surveys alongside divers for the last 4 years, but we were his first group of
snorkelers. Over the years Benjamin has observed more than 12 species (of the
30 present in the Coral Triangle) of cetaceans in Raja Ampat, and on a few
occasions the groups have even managed to get in the water with the whales.
These opportunities to have long days out on the water provide valuable data
points for Benjamin about where whales are found in these areas and more
importantly, how they are using them. Through the use of directional
hydrophones and dedicated deck top observation time we were able to spot
multiple groups of whales over the days we were there. The clang of the ship bell
and the yell of “blow” punctuated many of our afternoons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Something that makes the Coral Triangle a unique area in
addition to the marine biodiversity found there (over 450 species of coral,
1750 species of fish) is the fact that it has so much deep water habitat
adjacent to shallow water habitat. In fact, almost 85% of the Coral Triangle
waters are over 200m in depth, therefore you find exceptional marine diversity
with high overlap of near shore and deep sea habitats. Benjamin is using these
sighting efforts to identify whale hotspots in the area and look to see how
these hotspots overlap with development plans. In order to properly conserve
and regulate the marine protected areas within the Coral Triangle it is vital
to understand how things like shipping lanes and potential extractive
industries development may overlap with whale migration corridors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our days on the Pindito were full of exciting snorkeling
opportunities along multiple islands, and many afternoons having intimate
encounters with Bryde’s and Sperm whales as well as many species of dolphin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAv5E6QhzckJQW5EdmtNeVTzZMmIeFbpyHJ5AaOwvVFdQcEcAUGnqAmritWpOEiK2VuQHTsJhazur7U2-uY5nqbPuBXcnu9fZpKC83SkTeDh_U6-ziRarhl2wSWUH2RbmIfAuaNkBmtbw/s1600/Whale-Macro+tour+16-02-2015+till+27-02-2015.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAv5E6QhzckJQW5EdmtNeVTzZMmIeFbpyHJ5AaOwvVFdQcEcAUGnqAmritWpOEiK2VuQHTsJhazur7U2-uY5nqbPuBXcnu9fZpKC83SkTeDh_U6-ziRarhl2wSWUH2RbmIfAuaNkBmtbw/s1600/Whale-Macro+tour+16-02-2015+till+27-02-2015.jpeg" height="378" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of our groups journey over the 12-day voyage</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The additional benefit of dedicating some of our afternoons to whale surveys
was that we also had saw many other animals that we might have missed had we
just been motoring through. During these times we saw sailfish and manta rays
jumping, marine turtles, and large bait balls that were attracting multiple
seabird species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXajfEunIHQCSFxVBgaK23faMPug0WY1g6Uw9OP9qMG6eEl3UstMlKA7EoZbOEPsMf6lMY0yKLPkoZ3HPesR5ny2tVnqKiCEcVzf8q6AIi3IjfGCZjssf_giWbbuBuoiAIeQA4p8lCtiY/s1600/IMG_3121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXajfEunIHQCSFxVBgaK23faMPug0WY1g6Uw9OP9qMG6eEl3UstMlKA7EoZbOEPsMf6lMY0yKLPkoZ3HPesR5ny2tVnqKiCEcVzf8q6AIi3IjfGCZjssf_giWbbuBuoiAIeQA4p8lCtiY/s1600/IMG_3121.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manta seen jumping during whale survey efforts</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Our group had truly
wonderful experiences and at the same time was able to substantially contribute
to the conservation research of the region.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c41tBi1TgiO4Ec4L7-PXpsatRaNE0XXK03JV6dk1x-FZ6vahMl_AcU1_hFKEaOwnzS-tjZXS5a3QKgz0UgRHtmn9QWWbRO6VACS_ha9PjpC2wwN0HGIQuY0b-cAForqKUWychtdw8H0/s1600/IMG_5751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5c41tBi1TgiO4Ec4L7-PXpsatRaNE0XXK03JV6dk1x-FZ6vahMl_AcU1_hFKEaOwnzS-tjZXS5a3QKgz0UgRHtmn9QWWbRO6VACS_ha9PjpC2wwN0HGIQuY0b-cAForqKUWychtdw8H0/s1600/IMG_5751.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumphead Parrotfish schooling </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-51814102840338397552015-01-03T20:05:00.002-05:002015-01-03T20:05:36.112-05:00Photographic Highlights of 20142014 was a very busy and exciting year for me. In my first full year as Director of International Ecotravel for the <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/" target="_blank">Oceanic Society</a> - having led educational ecotourism and research programs for Oceanic since 1998, to be in charge of the long term development of our travel programs was both exciting and challenging. Along the way in 2014, nature once again provided the inspirational backdrop required to stay grounded and astounded by what I was able to share with our groups -<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDvAjB-p8DyS_IX7JEl69OsWEjUT8Rno93cHGhPwkEsYO8d9fRYmB5S5Fusej16any7ix5vrsRZFbiK2sWmAJS1t9nGhPkOSoE06d2t0jSxU-mbfzecxPZeTdP1V8FcsA31xG1FStcyU/s1600/GOPR0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDvAjB-p8DyS_IX7JEl69OsWEjUT8Rno93cHGhPwkEsYO8d9fRYmB5S5Fusej16any7ix5vrsRZFbiK2sWmAJS1t9nGhPkOSoE06d2t0jSxU-mbfzecxPZeTdP1V8FcsA31xG1FStcyU/s1600/GOPR0490.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible Raja Ampat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_gMCK8F54ArX0t34-vptmHKwJ3frROS5VUjbAhelOYgst5-w80qBS9uf824FDHY723AFqObhCDAgGun_vhzgCsYLzNYlHFN-ZR3zduO2eRu73hNC2jtMbPflLIp2IabZv_aFjGva1TI/s1600/GOPR0453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_gMCK8F54ArX0t34-vptmHKwJ3frROS5VUjbAhelOYgst5-w80qBS9uf824FDHY723AFqObhCDAgGun_vhzgCsYLzNYlHFN-ZR3zduO2eRu73hNC2jtMbPflLIp2IabZv_aFjGva1TI/s1600/GOPR0453.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aljui Bay in Raja Ampat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fAw4r8QeyvNpnswTTlfYZaRsJE6jsUAPBGXBeonL3Py236zXvQZLxfHnCWgGrHMlMQA1rNyaH33zcpCuyiVKp4KQIHxvsCd7HXiRLesAki9lOMcxTEEnNrD_jd7eRzGNugbwDWv-7j4/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fAw4r8QeyvNpnswTTlfYZaRsJE6jsUAPBGXBeonL3Py236zXvQZLxfHnCWgGrHMlMQA1rNyaH33zcpCuyiVKp4KQIHxvsCd7HXiRLesAki9lOMcxTEEnNrD_jd7eRzGNugbwDWv-7j4/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lioness in Masai Mara</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkRUnpC4Dm_lYbYBHFs5zhArquZmDa85-VeWPxHflNowllikPOOnpydljxoXLfoj3zab9KMnaEZnIZ6bHQCAHkDU2QYqMCWKFGBuYPYCuf12UptK9txvVM7Fm4XlE4gBE7CQ7l8vmHq8/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkRUnpC4Dm_lYbYBHFs5zhArquZmDa85-VeWPxHflNowllikPOOnpydljxoXLfoj3zab9KMnaEZnIZ6bHQCAHkDU2QYqMCWKFGBuYPYCuf12UptK9txvVM7Fm4XlE4gBE7CQ7l8vmHq8/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheetah cub in Mara</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcW-pkBlu3heDpRZIgCBtswulWanf-f-P3ZcDmwU2Nin5pnQS5d99eXun7llqVfG64LrT0RD2C3bvhGEcxs8jLqMpxfRDm62a9M4m1iOgyQpTQOFXaHbNKcjMkR5OePQVrngGom60k_u4/s1600/GOPR0357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcW-pkBlu3heDpRZIgCBtswulWanf-f-P3ZcDmwU2Nin5pnQS5d99eXun7llqVfG64LrT0RD2C3bvhGEcxs8jLqMpxfRDm62a9M4m1iOgyQpTQOFXaHbNKcjMkR5OePQVrngGom60k_u4/s1600/GOPR0357.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Komodo Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj85LZTAWv3hyphenhyphenvsGPIqBfZkP2TrdV6UqE2FzHjIlaK1S_v79BetZY8iCokmP1RM5ojswOHSVvlK5j0-lQibHoZpWto9sqmzOvKxnFaeX1adYqoH6zh3V2d9dFSofDl8pks-7WGzynio6s/s1600/GOPR0385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj85LZTAWv3hyphenhyphenvsGPIqBfZkP2TrdV6UqE2FzHjIlaK1S_v79BetZY8iCokmP1RM5ojswOHSVvlK5j0-lQibHoZpWto9sqmzOvKxnFaeX1adYqoH6zh3V2d9dFSofDl8pks-7WGzynio6s/s1600/GOPR0385.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penemu, Raja Ampat</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0Zyr7Q2ORUWu2cQLRbCXzatYV5Qyp7fLKwsZmpxS39wk0HiTAmAa3PWpeHhjzJisBZ5XZKEzQPm8DgnuPwu5_e4fEmVdrRzwhrR45CzjKl7cKHR6ykmFIhg_HSHnHI_uTTR47LdbjF8/s1600/IMG_4005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0Zyr7Q2ORUWu2cQLRbCXzatYV5Qyp7fLKwsZmpxS39wk0HiTAmAa3PWpeHhjzJisBZ5XZKEzQPm8DgnuPwu5_e4fEmVdrRzwhrR45CzjKl7cKHR6ykmFIhg_HSHnHI_uTTR47LdbjF8/s1600/IMG_4005.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nudibranch - Komodo Island</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mxV32-FY5l10syrjQYHEG5Zzz2KMtbJYsB7qXQsRhRWotHPwVmeT7U6V0KoAvi4_D313dP0ctju6zDSeHuCv3vAEQUnSsw47eSDE_-2g0PIR5PQAc_iugVFl5Ykn8MEhBHriai2nAt4/s1600/IMG_1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mxV32-FY5l10syrjQYHEG5Zzz2KMtbJYsB7qXQsRhRWotHPwVmeT7U6V0KoAvi4_D313dP0ctju6zDSeHuCv3vAEQUnSsw47eSDE_-2g0PIR5PQAc_iugVFl5Ykn8MEhBHriai2nAt4/s1600/IMG_1577.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bison - Yellowstone NP</td></tr>
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<br />naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-29772255067166776552013-01-10T14:12:00.002-05:002013-01-10T14:12:34.930-05:00Flatworms and Nudibranchs - Snorkeling Raja Ampat<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF6PcwQ5msoS6grafPhDoj7KfhyphenhyphenUpj0CL1NaRjD2dUZUMNPAtXRM3iLH9TGqgwwqjNtX717TNiJkhT_Ca1mTrOw_n3UZHRthlvX3Dj_9YF2GzOmIBZ3KoAa_yBO46C6WLzkFQspHlPCE/s1600/IMG_0901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF6PcwQ5msoS6grafPhDoj7KfhyphenhyphenUpj0CL1NaRjD2dUZUMNPAtXRM3iLH9TGqgwwqjNtX717TNiJkhT_Ca1mTrOw_n3UZHRthlvX3Dj_9YF2GzOmIBZ3KoAa_yBO46C6WLzkFQspHlPCE/s320/IMG_0901.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorious Flatworm</td></tr>
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This past November in Raja Ampat our <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/natural%20history/raja-ampat-archipelago" target="_blank">Oceanic Society</a> snorkeling group was again treated to many macro sightings. Locating these wonderous creatures, flatworms and nudibranchs, was often very challenging. Many are less than 2 inches long, and while vibrantly colored are usually perfectly camouflaged among the sponges, sea squirts, and corals they may be found feeding upon. Much like <a href="http://naturefinder.blogspot.com/2011/12/colorful-nudibranchs-from-raja-ampat.html" target="_blank">last years sightings</a> the diversity of what we encountered in this years expedition was often spectacular. The dramatic patterns and colors that these animals utilize is truly fantastic. I am sure that there were countless individuals that we missed, but fortunately we managed to spot quite a few. It was a great help to again have our local guide and expert, Dalton Ambat, searching along with us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEhvb7CMkWoyR1JNH7B8EwIn_2B0kpkO8YIuNpdb8RtO1oMIyxBBqF-qGrX6PBBvuitTJH-iJVTRnTkWAG5nzIT9Re4IttRn0defgDMIU0bQoEKdpPDzGBKqC9nUMRg50Kdg6NBxBL3k/s1600/IMG_0631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEhvb7CMkWoyR1JNH7B8EwIn_2B0kpkO8YIuNpdb8RtO1oMIyxBBqF-qGrX6PBBvuitTJH-iJVTRnTkWAG5nzIT9Re4IttRn0defgDMIU0bQoEKdpPDzGBKqC9nUMRg50Kdg6NBxBL3k/s400/IMG_0631.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Psychedelic Slug feeding</td></tr>
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It was the walls that we snorkeled while spending 2 nights at Alyui Bay in Waigeo Island that presented us with some of the most slug sightings per day. These walls are rich in soft corals and tunicates, both things that the nudibranchs and flatworms like to feed on. At Alyui Bay there is also a large pearl farm. There are literally thousands of oysters being grown in this bay, perhaps the extra structures and the fact that there is good "flushing" of water through this bay also helps to account for the diversity we see there. The walls that we snorkel along in this area have been a highlight of our trip for the last two seasons. In fact, it is at the <a href="http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/view-image.htm?index=5&gid=12373" target="_blank">pier of the pearl farm</a> where we have our night snorkel. This pier is one of the places in Raja Ampat recognized as an exceptional location to see a wide variety of unusual critters. To follow is just a small sample of the variety of sea slugs and flatworms that our group saw during this <a href="http://naturefinder.blogspot.com/2012/12/return-to-raja-ampat-2012.html" target="_blank">most recent snorkel expedition</a> to Raja Ampat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYVfwXzrGPYeMU-0HKn-w2-osp7rDsVimvYjY-bM9QX_B3qD4To5Nqx1O0H4gdAoplYN-pxOmuywLv1pFAxSNSTiBgTrcOk5I6XMoL0n9GgmZAB3GNOZc5Dhg6BMNdLofxXx3zsZCCIs/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYVfwXzrGPYeMU-0HKn-w2-osp7rDsVimvYjY-bM9QX_B3qD4To5Nqx1O0H4gdAoplYN-pxOmuywLv1pFAxSNSTiBgTrcOk5I6XMoL0n9GgmZAB3GNOZc5Dhg6BMNdLofxXx3zsZCCIs/s400/IMG_0143.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Elysia ornata</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_JxTc6fRtTzXEoNxxyNidxbRj1b9CM5lfT9vAzEzRZ9fJkR6ggdGYt_ssKoADaK7QnVDNvry4eqzqz-L75iPTSTPDm0F8VTHjFX1ifvw22HPMlzhyIrvOiKBntFsrlr0LQReyDwC5mw/s1600/IMG_0649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_JxTc6fRtTzXEoNxxyNidxbRj1b9CM5lfT9vAzEzRZ9fJkR6ggdGYt_ssKoADaK7QnVDNvry4eqzqz-L75iPTSTPDm0F8VTHjFX1ifvw22HPMlzhyIrvOiKBntFsrlr0LQReyDwC5mw/s400/IMG_0649.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Margin Glossodoris</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7aW_P62zidnmPzJOi_lDx-5G8LTchzsk2g09lEFN9ez1EfcTNZh0IYE2BpyCTz2SzOWSgVNAJcUujlGIFA74PhWfDBrnxqSQC_hOT_8rrXUWM3rZSoOvSKzjehGPUiqclrmw6236N0E/s1600/IMG_0812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7aW_P62zidnmPzJOi_lDx-5G8LTchzsk2g09lEFN9ez1EfcTNZh0IYE2BpyCTz2SzOWSgVNAJcUujlGIFA74PhWfDBrnxqSQC_hOT_8rrXUWM3rZSoOvSKzjehGPUiqclrmw6236N0E/s400/IMG_0812.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Glossodoris sibogae</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuF9PhEFpZC7VY6TuNJ3K8Po4ZzNl7wYlv0mgwWHPX_TjLHwLjOGOraKwd9Sn74gpeW9RmGrv8uNhpo4-k5F_6m49lsKN71stB2_ne4oM5qfz6kA6imFdup7PHNBs3ZfCM8CxvpierFM/s1600/IMG_0340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuF9PhEFpZC7VY6TuNJ3K8Po4ZzNl7wYlv0mgwWHPX_TjLHwLjOGOraKwd9Sn74gpeW9RmGrv8uNhpo4-k5F_6m49lsKN71stB2_ne4oM5qfz6kA6imFdup7PHNBs3ZfCM8CxvpierFM/s400/IMG_0340.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda's Flatworm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpCY4MVZQxSfzLTaoD9IXTa0k9tjn-gvXR6XE9h4Rs49Rya5a_pn4W427YKRzQc0Q7R4fWQbRNEjltVLgSipxoPEc4mwNA4nYz0anE4ffN6Hpf50OT8BNdaqKCuZgCs8lI5up7Jhnz-s/s1600/IMG_1020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpCY4MVZQxSfzLTaoD9IXTa0k9tjn-gvXR6XE9h4Rs49Rya5a_pn4W427YKRzQc0Q7R4fWQbRNEjltVLgSipxoPEc4mwNA4nYz0anE4ffN6Hpf50OT8BNdaqKCuZgCs8lI5up7Jhnz-s/s400/IMG_1020.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pseudocerous sp.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEyndsbF7Maqssdvqmrt-5a9Mqro1aQHuOr-q2YyQrkcOR6v97XPkeX4KRZhlSvTwS0ln2cs2Nsco8dHxVZJHILTlDRcnfbGx2_lNUdAvdBIL9782hcMKp8X1lqaeMkjISE2CzfwvIPU/s1600/IMG_0614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEyndsbF7Maqssdvqmrt-5a9Mqro1aQHuOr-q2YyQrkcOR6v97XPkeX4KRZhlSvTwS0ln2cs2Nsco8dHxVZJHILTlDRcnfbGx2_lNUdAvdBIL9782hcMKp8X1lqaeMkjISE2CzfwvIPU/s400/IMG_0614.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicolor Flabellina</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVy6m1hSZKZ8ZT-moxJio0y1ogadcJ6C85LEu4YyWs_nG1wKMA4oR_HP1frgOHc0PIQrM1kU9LPauQiHoVmM8skZopFGrmzlK__XgjnaGFm2DVaX7gW9MeBhKUiE778HmbElcFJbZgDhg/s1600/IMG_0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVy6m1hSZKZ8ZT-moxJio0y1ogadcJ6C85LEu4YyWs_nG1wKMA4oR_HP1frgOHc0PIQrM1kU9LPauQiHoVmM8skZopFGrmzlK__XgjnaGFm2DVaX7gW9MeBhKUiE778HmbElcFJbZgDhg/s400/IMG_0358.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fabellina rubrolineata</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFGxXLPbCmHPo2-XKEHsbfVgJygdhPNAH5JcPkSx6AAYp9T0SbHLHkx-Wd7DLSuTHiQ_izIgjWf96f9vQuP9aIf23yj2cMbsbqR1zuQzGthkmkr39M5vRT4arO4SDy8i7Rh241m7EDB4/s1600/IMG_0938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFGxXLPbCmHPo2-XKEHsbfVgJygdhPNAH5JcPkSx6AAYp9T0SbHLHkx-Wd7DLSuTHiQ_izIgjWf96f9vQuP9aIf23yj2cMbsbqR1zuQzGthkmkr39M5vRT4arO4SDy8i7Rh241m7EDB4/s400/IMG_0938.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nembrotha kubaryana</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic8C8Lexn9AUrJDLdfRCl1uMs2T0akr0Bq5gte_b1Gj7h8e5RSATnGyke0no1tkDEsrMheP6ccfL0zwmA-grq2Cp8zZE64YX91aAOkdYBTELzerNPDekTedr1w58fzbhO8foUbdj26KM/s1600/IMG_0662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic8C8Lexn9AUrJDLdfRCl1uMs2T0akr0Bq5gte_b1Gj7h8e5RSATnGyke0no1tkDEsrMheP6ccfL0zwmA-grq2Cp8zZE64YX91aAOkdYBTELzerNPDekTedr1w58fzbhO8foUbdj26KM/s400/IMG_0662.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Risbecia tryoni</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TxvP6fJ_QXqrBX2n3nOBVRzzVKUZykGBo2cgHGPKya9c3nPv-LkM9vnjJ9vcUmBub2q4rSd55gskHWSexDo5CDwkUjMZoFZsUbo5PW9ljb23mI-JN2Gk5sMy4TarUVGL523VUR9ooR8/s1600/IMG_0861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TxvP6fJ_QXqrBX2n3nOBVRzzVKUZykGBo2cgHGPKya9c3nPv-LkM9vnjJ9vcUmBub2q4rSd55gskHWSexDo5CDwkUjMZoFZsUbo5PW9ljb23mI-JN2Gk5sMy4TarUVGL523VUR9ooR8/s400/IMG_0861.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pseudoceros goslineri</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j-zyet9RGPzTmpx56g0zv3mL4nxLig5AqKyrxmSZXX1PZBxDs51LvV_YiPvO-ydCwVpxT7Z3mPSrh5Q0fSpiw6PLST87xjOfZ1dW8B2lo7wESdzXFLJ_Thb13x5hdj_nkSm7eJmZm5A/s1600/IMG_1054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2j-zyet9RGPzTmpx56g0zv3mL4nxLig5AqKyrxmSZXX1PZBxDs51LvV_YiPvO-ydCwVpxT7Z3mPSrh5Q0fSpiw6PLST87xjOfZ1dW8B2lo7wESdzXFLJ_Thb13x5hdj_nkSm7eJmZm5A/s400/IMG_1054.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-striped Flatworm - <i>Maritigrella virgulata</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEC0gYECmRDhq4WwKbs83TRO34-0uVU_1mzBtu5-xd_7wmQWKGjp9M0YBf9YuDIF1ju5zUCSChl6Kfmy2cW2VYMd8I9sgfjH8mbjVK494rKkD_XrULFP5mHVfSBfRjbAmy6kgqEGfwBM/s1600/IMG_1291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEC0gYECmRDhq4WwKbs83TRO34-0uVU_1mzBtu5-xd_7wmQWKGjp9M0YBf9YuDIF1ju5zUCSChl6Kfmy2cW2VYMd8I9sgfjH8mbjVK494rKkD_XrULFP5mHVfSBfRjbAmy6kgqEGfwBM/s400/IMG_1291.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Thuridilla lineolata</i> - seen in Sulawesi</td></tr>
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To learn about traveling to Raja Ampat for your own snorkel adventure visit <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/" target="_blank">Oceanic Society</a>, a non-profit marine conservation organization located outside of San Francisco, specializing in educational marine expeditions throughout the worlds tropical oceans. <br />
<br />
A few websites that are great resources for identification help are:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.marinelifephotography.com/" target="_blank">Marine Life Photography</a> - Also their great new <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reef-critters-hawaii/id398733021?mt=8" target="_blank">iPhone and Ipad app</a> for Hawaii reef life ID<br />
<a href="http://www.seaslugforum.net/" target="_blank">The Sea Slug Forum</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nudipixel.net/" target="_blank">Nudi Pixel</a><br />
naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-84718252343526488392012-12-19T13:23:00.000-05:002012-12-19T16:24:32.479-05:00Return to Raja Ampat - 2012<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWedYd1dhUYAUeCevYrFMytKLCjHnO0tg1qQZIgE-sq7N5HLWu3bpsYsZuo2ARag_DL947iXteLYoPpdrSjINaRpxddeL2LWWhPOCSGnrT_heSDczIlCP_Xw6AaG1P8KE-uj3dcBKZmo/s1600/IMG_0461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWedYd1dhUYAUeCevYrFMytKLCjHnO0tg1qQZIgE-sq7N5HLWu3bpsYsZuo2ARag_DL947iXteLYoPpdrSjINaRpxddeL2LWWhPOCSGnrT_heSDczIlCP_Xw6AaG1P8KE-uj3dcBKZmo/s320/IMG_0461.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vibrant reefs to explore</td></tr>
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Well this past November <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/" target="_blank">Oceanic Society</a> returned to <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/natural%20history/raja-ampat-archipelago" target="_blank">Raja Ampat</a> for our second snorkeling expedition. This year we were joined by 16 avid snorkelers. Many had already visited a dynamic array of snorkeling destinations including Tonga, <a href="http://naturefinder.blogspot.com/2012/06/coral-reefs-of-ulithi-atoll-yap.html" target="_blank">Micronesia</a>, Palau, and Fiji. Our trip has now switched to a new vessel, the SeaSafari 8, much larger and outfitted (for our group) for limited diving. Our itinerary had us departing from Sorong and heading towards <a href="http://www.east-indonesia.info/regions/misool.html" target="_blank">Misool</a> for our first evening, after that we would head back up North and visit a variety of locations that had been highlights from <a href="http://naturefinder.blogspot.com/2011/11/raja-ampat-snorkeling-indonesias-marine.html" target="_blank">last years trip.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sJT1R5vFJqcGH1PyA5sfEtTinV999iDmDnPUbZlTys4BFOH_MiGvWwYKHJ0y6kt0lzgiuPTdQqbGudimSNtNKodIM0uB1Nlo50RhDL3aAXWAH44IOcJFHziuCRyPCOueNR6jtOutdSs/s1600/IMG_1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sJT1R5vFJqcGH1PyA5sfEtTinV999iDmDnPUbZlTys4BFOH_MiGvWwYKHJ0y6kt0lzgiuPTdQqbGudimSNtNKodIM0uB1Nlo50RhDL3aAXWAH44IOcJFHziuCRyPCOueNR6jtOutdSs/s320/IMG_1180.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our vessel - SeaSafari 8</td></tr>
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As we left Sorong we were excited and eager to finally get in the water. Even though all of us have been around the globe snorkeling, there is really nothing like <a href="http://www.reefresilience.org/Toolkit_Coral/C8_RajaAmpat.html" target="_blank">Raja Ampat</a>. This bastion of marine biodiversity does not disappoint. For shear numbers of species and visible variety of macrolife it is unparalleled. Each time you enter the water you can be assured that you will almost certainly see something you have never seen before, no matter your level of experiences. Add to this the physical beauty of the islands, the warm water, and the fact that you rarely share any of the sites with another person and you have set yourself up for a true escape into nature. One where you can spend as much time as you want exploring and observing the kaleidoscope of diversity that is on display. As you float through these vibrant coral reefs you see an ecological landscape that is as dynamic as the Serengeti. Animals are competing for resources and access to mates, some creatures are <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn22483-threatened-coral-calls-in-the-goby-cavalry.html" target="_blank">preforming services for others</a> in exchange for something that benefits them, a mutualistic relationship. It is easy to forget as you float over all these strange animal lifeforms that they are indeed just that, a resilient and interlinked ecosystem of species, each with their own unique strategy for survival. To follow are just a few of the amazing sightings we had in 2012.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf831GtWl2PidTkbt90oY4EJlS6XGHONURnjqI_DbO7YJkJYbS-GK1sNGs1VGFz6qRiFMSLD4Wmhn_1oW78W3Ix6A2JHBOB2-FVhGYHttxQSgYocq18LeP8vJBibh-oYl-3BbX-GMZQDU/s1600/IMG_0934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf831GtWl2PidTkbt90oY4EJlS6XGHONURnjqI_DbO7YJkJYbS-GK1sNGs1VGFz6qRiFMSLD4Wmhn_1oW78W3Ix6A2JHBOB2-FVhGYHttxQSgYocq18LeP8vJBibh-oYl-3BbX-GMZQDU/s400/IMG_0934.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock Mantis Shrimp</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1ybmdz-RwlLFCGy9qa6qZKz-Vr4CirYqIKlxQhXLknSa7lTFqqgCtoSjczYjKRiI33Bdzpvsodq8m4LRzW8ymYgR5m7cyB4RM-uz-rkj8MV-QK1eaFnLm4cOrWORNaZ5A18DARQIoI4/s1600/IMG_0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1ybmdz-RwlLFCGy9qa6qZKz-Vr4CirYqIKlxQhXLknSa7lTFqqgCtoSjczYjKRiI33Bdzpvsodq8m4LRzW8ymYgR5m7cyB4RM-uz-rkj8MV-QK1eaFnLm4cOrWORNaZ5A18DARQIoI4/s400/IMG_0636.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghost Pipefish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiBy5SoTkXwPlPsxC7rPWg4LsSVUv4RU950VYwGAlR3xpvk7GvudrnHwjI5mn8qVJh46c_ShQtsf-79LvAG6tLg9iBFPy6IzZEFkj-tuNAC4_RF7BCc2ufu-X8vJi8SpywlSJ5VFBFks/s1600/IMG_0718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiBy5SoTkXwPlPsxC7rPWg4LsSVUv4RU950VYwGAlR3xpvk7GvudrnHwjI5mn8qVJh46c_ShQtsf-79LvAG6tLg9iBFPy6IzZEFkj-tuNAC4_RF7BCc2ufu-X8vJi8SpywlSJ5VFBFks/s400/IMG_0718.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-Girdled Angelfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzTeh0W_NCDcRRxA8MnXILb_2Squim3BWizmQHHWCEFzqpDq9NTLwK1K6lbYDJA5_rG051mhRIxBrw9vjSmFOSDKXfmDLqDdsuG4LBYh9J5oC66UFh-TuqMJnJyVfVBScAC3s2QvxVd4/s1600/IMG_0766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzTeh0W_NCDcRRxA8MnXILb_2Squim3BWizmQHHWCEFzqpDq9NTLwK1K6lbYDJA5_rG051mhRIxBrw9vjSmFOSDKXfmDLqDdsuG4LBYh9J5oC66UFh-TuqMJnJyVfVBScAC3s2QvxVd4/s400/IMG_0766.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our local guide Dalton photographing a Lionfish</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkLNgSrFrHV87Ir7dN_nsYKFYUVDFPL6r4x4jR8VZePjJEnoTln9GSbuuMzyz6pDXN9YmFSQDjN9ayLkcgkHqagpGZBxn3unPIujcWStTahWmEU0p3RB3yoFcVWCigvM41y983ZJZ1Yw/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkLNgSrFrHV87Ir7dN_nsYKFYUVDFPL6r4x4jR8VZePjJEnoTln9GSbuuMzyz6pDXN9YmFSQDjN9ayLkcgkHqagpGZBxn3unPIujcWStTahWmEU0p3RB3yoFcVWCigvM41y983ZJZ1Yw/s400/IMG_0776.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasselled Wobbegong Shark</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF6PcwQ5msoS6grafPhDoj7KfhyphenhyphenUpj0CL1NaRjD2dUZUMNPAtXRM3iLH9TGqgwwqjNtX717TNiJkhT_Ca1mTrOw_n3UZHRthlvX3Dj_9YF2GzOmIBZ3KoAa_yBO46C6WLzkFQspHlPCE/s1600/IMG_0901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF6PcwQ5msoS6grafPhDoj7KfhyphenhyphenUpj0CL1NaRjD2dUZUMNPAtXRM3iLH9TGqgwwqjNtX717TNiJkhT_Ca1mTrOw_n3UZHRthlvX3Dj_9YF2GzOmIBZ3KoAa_yBO46C6WLzkFQspHlPCE/s400/IMG_0901.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorious Flatworm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSR6mkz3Iv59byD-QZrjeP8jd6A4K0s790ZgicmF09dnksl23rsehhNnrDcb0FLtk5puhuP0p4rSHOKNEG2JyQVf9M796cfZvbperaN9MzkAEFNI-hOlRbv8pbaoCWzHTHuNyI1sylXg/s1600/IMG_0970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSR6mkz3Iv59byD-QZrjeP8jd6A4K0s790ZgicmF09dnksl23rsehhNnrDcb0FLtk5puhuP0p4rSHOKNEG2JyQVf9M796cfZvbperaN9MzkAEFNI-hOlRbv8pbaoCWzHTHuNyI1sylXg/s400/IMG_0970.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map Puffer</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkImzfXBwF2mIKQuopGIpONNJawaDtu08wvPidc6JAYWCsCknPnh8uSt5Lt0EYdoaU5MeB9ljQk-5p067GIW9iBzbatPDS9_L4FRzuKluaNH7Jv8fYE8JNHJKt7rzvSD4VKWdRopnYQ5Y/s1600/IMG_0492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkImzfXBwF2mIKQuopGIpONNJawaDtu08wvPidc6JAYWCsCknPnh8uSt5Lt0EYdoaU5MeB9ljQk-5p067GIW9iBzbatPDS9_L4FRzuKluaNH7Jv8fYE8JNHJKt7rzvSD4VKWdRopnYQ5Y/s400/IMG_0492.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Social Tunicates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5Ok-7obqCwFpafqeyVPxEUOOJODfBmYLmDGhJRYnCy0ggDza5KrcHM8y731fXqaLutWIKwG_LMVyN3r1KNug5s_A2N4x3RAwVPtsNQPyX-MkHmIvShH0uPpR4ax7OSvzR4B2pWUgL6Q/s1600/IMG_0890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5Ok-7obqCwFpafqeyVPxEUOOJODfBmYLmDGhJRYnCy0ggDza5KrcHM8y731fXqaLutWIKwG_LMVyN3r1KNug5s_A2N4x3RAwVPtsNQPyX-MkHmIvShH0uPpR4ax7OSvzR4B2pWUgL6Q/s400/IMG_0890.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Regal Angelfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These photos show just a small sample of the amazing critters we saw on our adventure. With one of the world's richest coral reef fish fauna, over 1300 species, and harboring over 75% of the world's coral species, every moment in the water was special. During out trip we also were able to have a few land based activities. The primary one being a return visit to the village of Sawinggrai on Gam Island. Here we had the opportunity to view the <a href="http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=5840" target="_blank">Red Bird-of-paradise</a> (<span class="st"><i>Paradisaea rubra</i>) </span>at a <a href="http://birding.about.com/od/Bird-Glossary-L-M/g/Lek.htm" target="_blank">lek</a> site. Just like the previous year, after about 20 minutes of waiting we were rewarded with great views of the males preforming mating displays. As we turned to leave we had another surprise, an arboreal mammal had been watching us as we admired the birds. A few branches away was the <a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/20636/0" target="_blank">Spotted Cuscus</a> (<i>Spilocuscus maculatus</i>), a truly strange looking creature, seemingly a bit of a cross between a possum and a lemur! On our way back from the bird hike we saw many different species of orchids which the villagers had placed along the trail. We also saw a few more bird species including parrots and fruit doves.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorolaMiU1VC0ryYnbXNAFNvqOrPu6FVRp_9SHEZ6PqbDdQd7x-C6JWF2WBMSBsSIPq7DCMsQgfMsM0uD5qK_wcW4PrZzDdk_ZOJe0thWX6VaKU7_zzar3qxILwezrvtPriJ7moolS2Vc/s1600/IMG_6314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorolaMiU1VC0ryYnbXNAFNvqOrPu6FVRp_9SHEZ6PqbDdQd7x-C6JWF2WBMSBsSIPq7DCMsQgfMsM0uD5qK_wcW4PrZzDdk_ZOJe0thWX6VaKU7_zzar3qxILwezrvtPriJ7moolS2Vc/s400/IMG_6314.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Bird-of-Paradise</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBdmUzkGyea63KylzefiilUylqHw51yeUGjV3IIG8s6YF6GCqYKqNfq9OjFntwIlDT0cmuyIWoggrcNIXkB3PJyxeSVabtvvB_2XclPkdsbe8aGW_0R-MTJHWGZCwkodn-QUFGULI_Zw/s1600/IMG_6319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBdmUzkGyea63KylzefiilUylqHw51yeUGjV3IIG8s6YF6GCqYKqNfq9OjFntwIlDT0cmuyIWoggrcNIXkB3PJyxeSVabtvvB_2XclPkdsbe8aGW_0R-MTJHWGZCwkodn-QUFGULI_Zw/s640/IMG_6319.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Cuscus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeCHZQ-FgpmK3nx7NOAi_4mOvRZQLflF1U4f5B-N0mH_geMDMjMCGLiSe-Y14BPSokiwWfYugGKiw-hL861g818LtPv394VnJfo8DPx0bpa4DeL97rqh44fPvnvhQcDAzqpGTRfEAN0g/s1600/IMG_6340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeCHZQ-FgpmK3nx7NOAi_4mOvRZQLflF1U4f5B-N0mH_geMDMjMCGLiSe-Y14BPSokiwWfYugGKiw-hL861g818LtPv394VnJfo8DPx0bpa4DeL97rqh44fPvnvhQcDAzqpGTRfEAN0g/s400/IMG_6340.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parrot species</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What another incredible snorkeling expedition to Raja Ampat. Many of our group went on for 5 more days of snorkeling in Sulawesi and I will post some photos from that extension soon. Inspired by all that we saw this season we are already beginning to plan our 2013 return, these trips fill up quickly so please visit Oceanic Society's <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/natural%20history/raja-ampat-archipelago" target="_blank">trip webpage</a> for more information about how you can participate. <br />
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naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-83257070385408423002012-06-04T10:09:00.001-04:002012-12-19T16:19:52.307-05:00Coral Reefs of Ulithi Atoll - Yap, Micronesia<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/888.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img align="left" border="0" height="187" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_888.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BulBul Island and the "Blue Hole"</td></tr>
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Just back from another week spent in part snorkeling the vibrant coral reefs of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulithi" target="_blank">Ulithi Atoll</a>. Ulithi is located about 90 miles East of the island of Yap located in the Federated States of Micronesia. The crystal clear waters around Ulithi make it a snorkelers ( and divers ) paradise. Healthy coral reefs provide excellent habitat for a variety of creatures and unlike many other places we still encounter reef sharks here on a regular basis. <br />
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<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/06/04/889.jpg"><img align="right" border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/06/04/s_889.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a><br />
I have been coming to this area for about 8 years now with <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/natural%20history/ulithi-yap-palau" target="_blank">Oceanic Society</a> groups and this is still one of my most favorite places to explore with ecotourists. The island that we stay on, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Falalop_Island-_Ulithi_Atoll.JPG" target="_blank">Falalop</a>, is populated by about 400 persons. In 2005 after securing permission from the island Chief Oceanic was given the go-ahead to start bringing in small groups of ecotourists. With only about 100 visitors per year Ulithi is a location few others get the chance to explore. Below are just a few pictures from our most recent trip. <br />
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Cleaner wrasse go to work on a tilefish, the Blue Blanquillo. <br />
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A more adventurous cleaner wrasse in the mouth of a moray eel. <br />
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Here an octopus gets friendly with a lurking grouper. <br />
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Healthy reefs never fail to disappoint. <br />
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Some Fourspot Butterflyfish in search of food. <br />
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A Guineafowl puffer apparently whistling away the day. <br />
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A Peacock Razorfish moments before he disappears into the sand. Click this link to see his <a href="http://youtu.be/cxggXcQrnns" target="_blank">quick escape. </a><br />
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Our groups days were spent snorkeling, but this was really a trip about sea turtles. These four participants are part of a growing number of ecotourists that are taking part in what is being referred to as "voluntourism" where individuals pay to participate in conservation projects. In this case we were in Ulithi specifically to work alongside the 16 local sea turtle monitors employed by the <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/con_ulithi-sea-turtle-project" target="_blank">Ulithi Marine Turtle Project</a>. So while our days were spent searching the reefs for cool critters our nights were devoted to tagging and measuring the green sea turtles that nest on the islands of Ulithi Atoll. In the next few days I will share more about that effort. <br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPadnaturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-34749156043609170282012-05-27T05:49:00.001-04:002012-06-11T16:17:36.898-04:00Return to Palau 2012<br />
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Have just finished up an <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/natural%20history/ulithi-yap-palau" target="_blank">Oceanic Society trip</a> to Palau with travel to both Yap and Ulithi Atoll. We had a great series of snorkels and were treated to a wealth of critters like this Longnose filefish in Palau. Never disappointed in the Rock Islands, our group was able to explore a variety of habitats from hidden lakes to blue holes. Oceanic continues to deliver a quality experience by getting to sites that are traditionally thought of only as dive locations. We spent a wonderful afternoon snorkeling Blue Corner seeing large schools of Big-eyed jacks and barracudas as well as many grey reef sharks. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Puffer</td></tr>
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This Star puffer also stayed in place for us as we were swept along gently with the current. We also visited The Big Dropoff and hit it just perfect at a low tide. The multitudes of fish at this site were crowded into large groups as the low tide made the available vertical habitat temporarily vanish. This Steephead parrotfish was busy getting cleaned, and Whitetip reef sharks cruised the shallows. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steephead Parrotfish w/ cleaner wrasse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitetip Reef Shark</td></tr>
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As we went through German Channel we also managed to catch a glimpse of a large manta ray. If you click on this link you can see a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geIGoSlRJW8" target="_blank">video of some mantas </a>we saw underwater during our last trip to Palau in 2011.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manta ray</td></tr>
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On another day we used the early morning cloud cover to locate some Mandarinfish in a secluded lake. After a bit of searching everyone in the group had seen this colorful critter. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandarinfish</td></tr>
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The coral in this area was equally as impressive. Large groups of brain corals one more brilliant than the next. <br />
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A trip to the famous jellyfish lake provided the expected <a href="http://youtu.be/zuhdRKdYt8c" target="_blank">Dr. Seuss-like experience</a> of being transported to another world. <br />
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We were also able to catch a glimpse of the local seabird inhabiting the lake, the Pied cormorant, warming himself up in the sun. <br />
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A giant clam in Ulong Channel also surprised as it had both sides of it's shell covered in table corals. <br />
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All in all another fantastic few days spent exploring the rock islands. Stay tuned for photos from our days in Yap and Ulithi Atoll. <br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />
<br />naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-59880924069266967762011-12-20T14:12:00.001-05:002011-12-22T10:37:28.073-05:00Colorful Nudibranchs From Raja Ampat<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN1bRjofjoa5yoelxPAyZJi7Ym1cpl5XVrp7FWIhbIZ-WuDiJbR5CvgEaBUAEz0Ncl4GD81mfALJF_Nspp8BnzSPIYDFATs793nttPSqE_sDgiLleqcZo0U12-MY5OQ6bzOzzcy-CW4c/s1600/IMG_2020.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN1bRjofjoa5yoelxPAyZJi7Ym1cpl5XVrp7FWIhbIZ-WuDiJbR5CvgEaBUAEz0Ncl4GD81mfALJF_Nspp8BnzSPIYDFATs793nttPSqE_sDgiLleqcZo0U12-MY5OQ6bzOzzcy-CW4c/s400/IMG_2020.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: inherit;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Risbecia tryoni</i></span></td></tr>
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Some of the more spectacular creatures to observe while <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/natural%20history/raja-ampat-archipelago" target="_blank">snorkeling at Raja Ampat</a> are the numerous <a href="http://scientistatwork.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/the-beauty-of-diversity-and-sea-slugs/">nudibranchs</a>, or sea slugs. Tucked among the many sponges, soft corals, and colorful <a href="http://www.coralscience.org/main/articles/reef-species-4/tunicates">tunicates</a> these gaudy, ornamented animals are tiny visual jewels. In Raja Ampat these slugs, because they are so abundant, seem much easier to spot than in many other marine areas. And like everything else in Raja, there is great diversity allowing you to see at least one new flamboyant species with each different snorkel site visited. <br />
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Nudibranchs are so colorful for a variety of reasons, to warn predators and to fool them, for camouflage, and because some have toxins which can taste bad to predators. Many can incorporate stinging cells from the anemones they eat, while others hijack the poisons from the sponges that they ingest. Thankfully for the snorkeler we are most interested in locating, observing, and photographing them so simply th fact that they ARE extremely colorful makes for a bit of an underwater treasure hunt when trying to locate these small (most are less than 3-inches) critters. Below are photos showing some of the slugs we encountered on the most recent Oceanic Society snorkel trip to Raja Ampat in Oct/Nov of 2011.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bHmN_m8Du9UpDJ5wFAbAEEA1fWAKyEcWM6YZHLJCrfRMD_Du8YjX1dFCh_4n4zJenL54CVjN_-2oK9JYZ9zbhEcROXZ1IClwggVlvW1iaWPha1wdk4MiuCMA8R46MQPePYT4lSeonDg/s1600/IMG_2032.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bHmN_m8Du9UpDJ5wFAbAEEA1fWAKyEcWM6YZHLJCrfRMD_Du8YjX1dFCh_4n4zJenL54CVjN_-2oK9JYZ9zbhEcROXZ1IClwggVlvW1iaWPha1wdk4MiuCMA8R46MQPePYT4lSeonDg/s400/IMG_2032.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Nembrotha cristata</i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGreruuKr9hYe1n75pB0rx0iKUlywbS9QPLNhMbm73k_JnoDfnldGos6iD9yIuUUdqPRt0qhiO8iTveTakhsaldrms3npwYwBQtbH6IJ4LnXuXLCgSeXp50FRPfy9C7XrQI1cRYS2-9g/s1600/IMG_1841.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGreruuKr9hYe1n75pB0rx0iKUlywbS9QPLNhMbm73k_JnoDfnldGos6iD9yIuUUdqPRt0qhiO8iTveTakhsaldrms3npwYwBQtbH6IJ4LnXuXLCgSeXp50FRPfy9C7XrQI1cRYS2-9g/s400/IMG_1841.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Chromodoris annae</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1vSEUriRkOvONBFRiEdcDiSpjXfuYQMsyh7l6xcp35Z34NDpaOm7OXfQ5pW2oh6Mrjr_WQeIM9XU8tWMzE943Bte-1391jnMtoRodDzm0AFdIzN_5iG79Mb77TZMtCkost_i3-TWx1I/s1600/IMG_1854.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1vSEUriRkOvONBFRiEdcDiSpjXfuYQMsyh7l6xcp35Z34NDpaOm7OXfQ5pW2oh6Mrjr_WQeIM9XU8tWMzE943Bte-1391jnMtoRodDzm0AFdIzN_5iG79Mb77TZMtCkost_i3-TWx1I/s400/IMG_1854.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Elysia ornata</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6g0VayLPZBhw9vdVc5F4DR-f8q6tuTaw_1dSc_nlj-4ema6-bXZM8hb4-bcHyZqrH_qk-KwiwMGS-rDgPC-D6RNruHRny0Vn-FLkKkK_lp1BQX0oLOIS-jXC1DBae2DZG6UD0HmDzvbk/s1600/IMG_2727.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6g0VayLPZBhw9vdVc5F4DR-f8q6tuTaw_1dSc_nlj-4ema6-bXZM8hb4-bcHyZqrH_qk-KwiwMGS-rDgPC-D6RNruHRny0Vn-FLkKkK_lp1BQX0oLOIS-jXC1DBae2DZG6UD0HmDzvbk/s400/IMG_2727.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Halgerda batangas</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ug0sqlLACvU-MGUzWrg_4X_rNOAVplLerO7n6OPvm_Vq8r5ukWzYsyaxF6BOfWoR8gscZAmrTQqmG_HSNKRyX513Or0VpaAk7yk9AxIcim9OmX9-A6N806zws1OCn-ugdao6-vDbzHw/s1600/IMG_2631.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ug0sqlLACvU-MGUzWrg_4X_rNOAVplLerO7n6OPvm_Vq8r5ukWzYsyaxF6BOfWoR8gscZAmrTQqmG_HSNKRyX513Or0VpaAk7yk9AxIcim9OmX9-A6N806zws1OCn-ugdao6-vDbzHw/s400/IMG_2631.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Caloria indica</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJQpMrkanT9f0zvM7XjHjx6ZREAPQBGhfDdxSxPGRx2jGhM3sSUvJpBExAOLXuGbFqhHoMrOxqXWvpCdAIlU7heJuyl6TXvWLQ5gdo_kIAwh-xcqwT_nWVHLZ6GbIPRt9j-EZ-Rm31ac/s1600/IMG_1414.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJQpMrkanT9f0zvM7XjHjx6ZREAPQBGhfDdxSxPGRx2jGhM3sSUvJpBExAOLXuGbFqhHoMrOxqXWvpCdAIlU7heJuyl6TXvWLQ5gdo_kIAwh-xcqwT_nWVHLZ6GbIPRt9j-EZ-Rm31ac/s400/IMG_1414.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Phyllidia ocellata</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXp8NtCOYc8G9TOFRvOtIUBWfoPieISVTir5bvSMfqgF1W6RZCiN6nCdhvIV2m0nG5dOQP-I0iaBVE9Gt5ID2dnKo2vQHwuq59mplAqbsasjn6688hr4CGQEkMPRRzUP5EJYOENtTj-0/s1600/IMG_2112.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXp8NtCOYc8G9TOFRvOtIUBWfoPieISVTir5bvSMfqgF1W6RZCiN6nCdhvIV2m0nG5dOQP-I0iaBVE9Gt5ID2dnKo2vQHwuq59mplAqbsasjn6688hr4CGQEkMPRRzUP5EJYOENtTj-0/s400/IMG_2112.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Nembrotha chamberlaini</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRgAs_Fi2sKhxslLqZEI-Lg6rs03cJi1nz-I_dFeOHzbx8JHEtyfHjWD4cD0puSsg8b5URH-Y-wp19yOguvgtxdcbcHdVK5IsdTcK4pf5fXgqA9FPkH0fSKwX5bIjX7qx49PbqgVbWuI/s1600/IMG_2421.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRgAs_Fi2sKhxslLqZEI-Lg6rs03cJi1nz-I_dFeOHzbx8JHEtyfHjWD4cD0puSsg8b5URH-Y-wp19yOguvgtxdcbcHdVK5IsdTcK4pf5fXgqA9FPkH0fSKwX5bIjX7qx49PbqgVbWuI/s400/IMG_2421.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Chelidonura varians</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwhiMgWw2nmA6VAFrIxz2IFkSD2BZB3HKgdsvAr4J4GJOg6ouB6wNIceSW3UVcy0MTu0fuOJzjDCVXkB7USsK2Jpc-1nernOI5WxJJit-FzJn_K5nRzZJN9fQTLvV7o5sf8uJLLK25u8/s1600/IMG_2435.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwhiMgWw2nmA6VAFrIxz2IFkSD2BZB3HKgdsvAr4J4GJOg6ouB6wNIceSW3UVcy0MTu0fuOJzjDCVXkB7USsK2Jpc-1nernOI5WxJJit-FzJn_K5nRzZJN9fQTLvV7o5sf8uJLLK25u8/s400/IMG_2435.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Chromodoris coi</i> - laying eggs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRhvB2gxkKWJeIxKD8qPmA-TCFLxxzNggKAV5nNRaKnLFqbKqPMsoLE4VQBnP-Agoi0filP8FUCDTGJAs5pCvILSoNar46dhJlCcGxzLnt8lfBV1RNsnN1ZfcN0GaWByvmvFmxHZWJrQ/s1600/IMG_2462.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRhvB2gxkKWJeIxKD8qPmA-TCFLxxzNggKAV5nNRaKnLFqbKqPMsoLE4VQBnP-Agoi0filP8FUCDTGJAs5pCvILSoNar46dhJlCcGxzLnt8lfBV1RNsnN1ZfcN0GaWByvmvFmxHZWJrQ/s400/IMG_2462.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Flabellina exopata</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiH3mSRVCP63WTrs4C2AzTRAvNDrgUFbE_ICuD4pdpGOOzJDNYvviQGanvIF_GR8dh90PgvSX5Uiu0qS0pcRxh1gSYtFjaCfskLDZ6dW2Hjz3AriiNWpp1LvwywgpH5Wkf_JslOYwXdA/s1600/IMG_1892.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiH3mSRVCP63WTrs4C2AzTRAvNDrgUFbE_ICuD4pdpGOOzJDNYvviQGanvIF_GR8dh90PgvSX5Uiu0qS0pcRxh1gSYtFjaCfskLDZ6dW2Hjz3AriiNWpp1LvwywgpH5Wkf_JslOYwXdA/s400/IMG_1892.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Nembrotha kubaryana</i></span></td></tr>
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There are some terrific sites on the web to learn about nudibranchs and see detailed pictures of them and many other marine animals for id'ing your photographic finds. I have listed some of my favorite below. Here is link for a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Indo-Pacific-Nudibranchs-Sea-Slugs/dp/0970057431" target="_blank">great book</a> for id'ing Nudibranchs.<br />
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<a href="http://www.marinelifephotography.com/marine/mollusks/slugs/slugs.htm" target="_blank">MarineLifePhotography - Keoki & Yuko Stender</a><br />
<a href="http://www.secretseavisions.com/galleries/invertebrates.html" target="_blank">Secret Sea Visions - Burt Jones & Maurine Shimlock </a><br />
<a href="http://seaslugsofhawaii.com/index.html" target="_blank">Sea Slugs of Hawaii - Cory Pittman & Pauline Fiene </a><br />
<a href="http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/nudibranchs" target="_blank">Underwater Photography Guide - Nudibranchs</a><br />
<br />naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com1Raja Ampat, Indonesia-0.83493138604270567 131.0888671875-2.8666803860427059 128.5620116875 1.1968176139572944 133.6157226875tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-24114016406630319262011-11-05T23:41:00.000-04:002011-12-21T11:15:27.480-05:00Raja Ampat - Snorkeling Indonesia's Marine Jewel<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6yxtjT6vtresBP-yotselw1SSMTnWijkQqXofPHAjGxgfsRnb4XbWuCuw5JOH_hfAP_eFt4Q0UxspkOq-b3p9ysvmaqxDSlfkAcV3kKrr-CsiGeQh7XwrbEORLdJ0Od8B_Ml2ikFcYU/s1600/IMG_2365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6yxtjT6vtresBP-yotselw1SSMTnWijkQqXofPHAjGxgfsRnb4XbWuCuw5JOH_hfAP_eFt4Q0UxspkOq-b3p9ysvmaqxDSlfkAcV3kKrr-CsiGeQh7XwrbEORLdJ0Od8B_Ml2ikFcYU/s320/IMG_2365.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft Corals Aplenty</td></tr>
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Just returning from snorkeling the northern islands of Raja Ampat. This was the first year of <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/natural%20history/raja-ampat-archipelago">Oceanic Society's </a>snorkel expedition to this biodiversity hotspot located within Indonesia. Arriving in Sorong our group of 13 was taken to the <i>Bidadari,</i> a dive (or in this case snorkel) live-aboard<i>. </i>This vessel would serve as our ocean platform for the next 11 days. Located in the <a href="http://www.conservation.org/sites/marine/initiatives/oceanscapes/cti/Pages/overview.aspx">coral triangle</a>, harboring over 500 coral species and more than 1300 varieties of fish (some just recently discovered), <a href="http://reefnet.ca/travel/regions/raja_ampat/">Raja Ampat</a> has the distinction of being considered the most diverse coral reef ecosystem on the planet.<br />
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Each day snorkeling these remote reefs, our group was rewarded with amazing encounters. One day we were treated to a "herd" of Bumphead Parrotfish, A school of over 30 individuals paraded by us, with all members being at least 60+ pounds or more. Their size, confident manner, and shear bulk, made me think this might be the marine equivalent of savanna elephants passing one by on safari.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpV2p9WxMxp4qAsMJhD1p8MHzReXJuOPyFDpfqZWyzVdCHm7ktWESLVr8jQ4qpdJpjY2k1H5-GntH9cGTrvv9YLYXmfElLYk9WDC4dQVqTjpI0rsCFD8DRGjDdJaP4AR4-Xb2SyE3N0Y/s1600/IMG_2379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpV2p9WxMxp4qAsMJhD1p8MHzReXJuOPyFDpfqZWyzVdCHm7ktWESLVr8jQ4qpdJpjY2k1H5-GntH9cGTrvv9YLYXmfElLYk9WDC4dQVqTjpI0rsCFD8DRGjDdJaP4AR4-Xb2SyE3N0Y/s320/IMG_2379.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumphead Parrotfish</td></tr>
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On other days we let the currents take us along multicolored walls covered in tunicates and soft corals. We floated along as if we had fallen down the coral reef "rabbit hole" and much like Alice, never knowing what crazy wonder lay around the next corner. These walls were rich in "macro" marine critters. Tiny animals that Raja Ampat is also know for. Here the sharp eyes of our Indonesian guides Dalton and Caroline, spotted many different types of nudibranchs. Some pictured below. The crypsis continued with scorpionfish, pipefish, and Wobbegon sharks all hidden in plain view.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdSdZvwBcxp8V2xMZ855zlpwLT28pKS9JsjUJ6Ej1ZYhHwEcECwCMM__J2c1Tv0CUHDiu7EjY2L0cTvT-pvVYZrylEYs8EPEwJdNTF3HLqv9VKzi2YvgeqV4PNjGj2ZpKkKYJqLbp3GE/s1600/IMG_2111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdSdZvwBcxp8V2xMZ855zlpwLT28pKS9JsjUJ6Ej1ZYhHwEcECwCMM__J2c1Tv0CUHDiu7EjY2L0cTvT-pvVYZrylEYs8EPEwJdNTF3HLqv9VKzi2YvgeqV4PNjGj2ZpKkKYJqLbp3GE/s320/IMG_2111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nembrotha chamberlaini</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1UHWMQijBxEEhDZSnqPXyYUOBq4sJ8k1aiSCXcswonbjBn_sF7_eM4evpcDoXqxpm7mS962UBf_HwSU-gTwW_Vg8wuhwPg4zANPFUqpbDc4H59gYsxaFHh83KrLdTJa9sCPht0s6JMk/s1600/IMG_1720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1UHWMQijBxEEhDZSnqPXyYUOBq4sJ8k1aiSCXcswonbjBn_sF7_eM4evpcDoXqxpm7mS962UBf_HwSU-gTwW_Vg8wuhwPg4zANPFUqpbDc4H59gYsxaFHh83KrLdTJa9sCPht0s6JMk/s320/IMG_1720.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasselled Wobbegong</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1JMfPXBg6qwRSxiYj1aZu_FckSR9eCyEm2-JHqwjWNbjjBqSubjIVaLXQHYRzDbb6mXWFQ-4mw4A7XGrkc68BBCU0hJ_0bvbueoABOjuUbSJ8be-oZxuBpCcZ_KqcKPeRl4VhN6pf1E/s1600/IMG_2727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1JMfPXBg6qwRSxiYj1aZu_FckSR9eCyEm2-JHqwjWNbjjBqSubjIVaLXQHYRzDbb6mXWFQ-4mw4A7XGrkc68BBCU0hJ_0bvbueoABOjuUbSJ8be-oZxuBpCcZ_KqcKPeRl4VhN6pf1E/s320/IMG_2727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Halgerda carlsoni</i></td></tr>
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Getting up each day we never knew what to expect. Each site always had a surprise in store for us and as the trip progressed we all became better at spotting our own "macros" once we took the opportunity to slow down and take a closer look at what nature was putting right in front of our noses (snorkels). Below are a few more photos to share. I will post more about the places we visited, the people that shared these reefs with us, and the coral ecosystem that we were lucky enough to float amongst in the next few days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_xc7eHpqXMTwGKweLqRFSP1aOSMKN_6SyradiyRXoWayVVDdiySu4oBLKKAfkICrEUo_gUx1J_s2tHqNO6WyErlyV-duolyluTpJkfz-0dfE-WRxnh5JooeqZVUil0JGktQchOzAQ3w/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_xc7eHpqXMTwGKweLqRFSP1aOSMKN_6SyradiyRXoWayVVDdiySu4oBLKKAfkICrEUo_gUx1J_s2tHqNO6WyErlyV-duolyluTpJkfz-0dfE-WRxnh5JooeqZVUil0JGktQchOzAQ3w/s320/IMG_1618.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinecheek Anemonefish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKf20Slnv8quHRTBOIc7JfJ2SRTFAKB2mqN7OgLyfV7rly_dPdwkyFi_Au8WXgI0wmQMsTnyUREd1SyW3mCVtyQL0vJOFj1_YCRSdhHavsCwa5D4fNE2FQxGSUj-HJMkqig2HNh9tKunY/s1600/IMG_1841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKf20Slnv8quHRTBOIc7JfJ2SRTFAKB2mqN7OgLyfV7rly_dPdwkyFi_Au8WXgI0wmQMsTnyUREd1SyW3mCVtyQL0vJOFj1_YCRSdhHavsCwa5D4fNE2FQxGSUj-HJMkqig2HNh9tKunY/s320/IMG_1841.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Chromodoris annae</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN9lH98r_UbihdFO8i6eCUkFTeSG992cNmx-VYVubjG8vQjUVX37iLbDsGwRmBYYEoptDpha_Y38VGWXPeDSKgir3H2mFwhKxrVrpR22OLW-hsT2_pXET1P7WcqcRg_PqQp5zc6O1yC0/s1600/IMG_2762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN9lH98r_UbihdFO8i6eCUkFTeSG992cNmx-VYVubjG8vQjUVX37iLbDsGwRmBYYEoptDpha_Y38VGWXPeDSKgir3H2mFwhKxrVrpR22OLW-hsT2_pXET1P7WcqcRg_PqQp5zc6O1yC0/s320/IMG_2762.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feather Star</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OuYlcLflmsCB8kJ_i3YnlaTupJqUpOc4jY7kKeMRDclpmy_eaB4wTl7KLfdYidCrqDWNnltt7C50nmScSvnSwmsSJtirPUveLZHFNjqrU97Cbwvr6sXsKOR5RYPt6UPwC7JWTjsJgos/s1600/IMG_2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OuYlcLflmsCB8kJ_i3YnlaTupJqUpOc4jY7kKeMRDclpmy_eaB4wTl7KLfdYidCrqDWNnltt7C50nmScSvnSwmsSJtirPUveLZHFNjqrU97Cbwvr6sXsKOR5RYPt6UPwC7JWTjsJgos/s320/IMG_2020.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Risbecia tryoni</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTjN3j1ZxDjg7W3MsT5BLfdMvN_Hd2zQAO9TDAfeyOm03OiInzlrgqWhnFrkZN2T2JjaHGnzlEITPnpTpQl1nnyrdW-WH-uDyBttarkgit3mFF-Jr7H8k5xjz0tC7OUX6ibeQQLUWAzo/s1600/IMG_3074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTjN3j1ZxDjg7W3MsT5BLfdMvN_Hd2zQAO9TDAfeyOm03OiInzlrgqWhnFrkZN2T2JjaHGnzlEITPnpTpQl1nnyrdW-WH-uDyBttarkgit3mFF-Jr7H8k5xjz0tC7OUX6ibeQQLUWAzo/s320/IMG_3074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snorkeling among the hard corals and Fusiliers</td></tr>
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<br />naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-746783876276046802011-05-22T17:15:00.002-04:002011-05-23T17:18:35.852-04:00Ulithi Atoll - Micronesia's Snorkelers Paradise<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiWM4IqjBwMGChY48Ko6JjiIeOXWw2hL3_TDagVzxo8nD9Ue24Cb0a7g9iWi4KEqJxOOiqj-gD49UTEjPzngYKONlMzvJw030xfAUQEQrIw3rK2GDj4AMVPDbIwrmNXRhVTFjLu_t4jI/s1600/IMG_1004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiWM4IqjBwMGChY48Ko6JjiIeOXWw2hL3_TDagVzxo8nD9Ue24Cb0a7g9iWi4KEqJxOOiqj-gD49UTEjPzngYKONlMzvJw030xfAUQEQrIw3rK2GDj4AMVPDbIwrmNXRhVTFjLu_t4jI/s320/IMG_1004.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healthy Coral © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ulithi Atoll is one of my favorite places to spend time in the water. The snorkeling here is incredible, with vibrant coral reefs and a diverse array of marine life, in some of the clearest water I have ever snorkeled. The clarity rivals another favorite snorkel spot, the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. This past week our intrepid group of Oceanic Society travelers left the Rock Islands of Palau flying to Yap, Micronesia. The following day we boarded a charter plane to fly 90 miles due North to the tiny island of Falalop, part of Ulithi Atoll, the second largest atoll in the Pacific. To say that Falalop is difficult to reach is an understatement. Landing on the 3000-ft. Runway we were met by a good portion of the island's 400 residents. Falalop has a small guest house and it is here that our group of 12 was based for the next four days to explore the nearby reefs and visit the community supported marine sea turtle project. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/22/3309.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img align="right" border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/22/s_3309.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multiple Coral Species © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Near to Falalop are an assortment of islands with spectacular coral reef ecosystems. From colorful protected lagoon reefs to outside walls that drop off steeply into cobalt blue waters our group saw sea turtles, sharks, and many fish species. With visibility generally 80-ft or more treasures were to be found all around. Over the 7 years that I have had the privilege of visiting this island and the people that call it home I have always tried to spend as much time as possible in the water. To follow is a small sample of some of the amazing marine life our group experienced on this latest trip. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/22/3310.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/22/s_3310.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palette Surgeonfish © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/22/3311.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/22/s_3311.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blacktip Reef Shark © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/22/3312.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/22/s_3312.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful Coral © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/22/3314.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/22/s_3314.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leopard Wrasse © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/22/3316.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/22/s_3316.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longnose Filefish © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ktdNNirMrRiWersqPsc5P4l_lALs3jUzss50xUdfuNfGXWXkU5kjmeP6dJPxJlHZ0bsskQbnZb-YCmKzQ-6kjtc-zKihp_ZciqsA5bdx0mjpzhOyO-QkveSZPXZAJVl4CIwLGfVTmNk/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ktdNNirMrRiWersqPsc5P4l_lALs3jUzss50xUdfuNfGXWXkU5kjmeP6dJPxJlHZ0bsskQbnZb-YCmKzQ-6kjtc-zKihp_ZciqsA5bdx0mjpzhOyO-QkveSZPXZAJVl4CIwLGfVTmNk/s320/IMG_1043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive Coral Heads - Clear Water © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/22/3321.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/22/s_3321.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guineafowl Puffer © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/22/3325.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/22/s_3325.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicolor Fangblenny © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/22/3329.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/22/s_3329.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-Saddled Toby © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />
<div class="blogpress_location">Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Ulithi%20Atoll,%20Yap,%20Federated%20States%20of%20Micronesia&z=10">Ulithi Atoll, Yap, Federated States of Micronesia</a></div>naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-41148643545894653532011-05-14T10:00:00.004-04:002011-05-14T12:59:18.105-04:00Snorkeling the Rock Islands of Palau<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/14/1385.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img align="left" border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/14/s_1385.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Masked Angelfish © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The waters of Palau never fail to delight. I am currently leading an Oceanic Society group of 11 on a snorkeling trip to Palau, Yap, and Ulithi Atoll. We have just finished our first 4 days of snorkeling and have seen some wonderful marine critters. We have covered a lot of area and the visibility has been great. We head out for Yap later tonight and are looking forward to more of the same. <br />
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Here are some recent photos so you can get an idea of the colorful reef life that the Rock Islands of Palau have on offer. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/14/1386.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/14/s_1386.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire Dartfish © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/14/1391.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/14/s_1391.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blacktip Reef Shark © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/14/1392.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/14/s_1392.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nudibranch - <i>Phyllidiella pustulosa</i> © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/14/1393.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/14/s_1393.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clown Triggerfish © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/14/1394.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/14/s_1394.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandarinfish © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/14/1396.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/14/s_1396.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Barramundi © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/14/1398.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/14/s_1398.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft Coral Arch Palau © 2011 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/14/1399.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/14/s_1399.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterspout Palau May 2011 © Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />
<div class="blogpress_location">Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Koror,%20Palau&z=10">Koror, Palau</a></div>naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com1Palau7.3869816347415744 134.258422874999955.3532026347415744 132.64892587499995 9.4207606347415744 135.86791987499996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-2752631666547093242011-04-11T15:41:00.005-04:002011-04-12T11:10:29.892-04:00International Marine Debris Sea Turtles Created with 2010 SWOT Grant<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf7g4kEF-UZV_LDjkXi_4W6XossYU3z1XgMGppbXC78Qsrz1AYVXumlQlVey9-aXarPjgV-c9q_dDp6xPfpkh1wyU68SN85eDn2JfM8lyfifI8mE1Y9nBGxGwXs-sHg3UpRTYqb3v2xw/s1600/KenyaSeaTurt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf7g4kEF-UZV_LDjkXi_4W6XossYU3z1XgMGppbXC78Qsrz1AYVXumlQlVey9-aXarPjgV-c9q_dDp6xPfpkh1wyU68SN85eDn2JfM8lyfifI8mE1Y9nBGxGwXs-sHg3UpRTYqb3v2xw/s320/KenyaSeaTurt3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenya turtles from Flip-flops © Watamu Marine Association</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This past month I finally saw many of the marine debris sea turtles that we asked students and community groups around the globe to create. This project was funded through a <a href="http://seaturtlestatus.org/team/grants">2010 SWOT Education and Outreach grant</a> that I wrote for <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/">Oceanic Society</a> this past October. Our proposal was to have various groups from coastal and island communities around the globe collect marine debris from their local beaches and then construct a sea turtle art project out of it. The idea was to focus some attention to the impact plastic pollution (the main component of marine debris) has on sea turtles and their nesting habitats (tropical beach areas). We had 7 groups participate, 2 from Hawaii, and 1 each from <a href="http://www.watamu.biz/member-list.php?cid=98">Kenya</a>, <a href="http://www.natin.sr/">Suriname</a>, <a href="http://www.fishnfins.com/n/Welcome.html">Palau</a>, <a href="http://ecomarbelize.org/">Belize</a>, and <a href="http://www.uwc.org/our_colleges/uwc_costa_rica/default.aspx">Costa Rica</a>. Most of the groups participating were students but a few were community organizations or in the case of Palau a group of dive guides from <a href="http://www.fishnfins.com/n/Welcome.html">Fish'n'Fins</a>. The art they all created was truly inspirational. Along the way each group documented their participation with photos and in some cases <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ADK_k1pEfw">video</a>. One of the wonderful parts of this program was that many of the students organized beach collections of marine debris in order to have material to make these turtles. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Qf7FXV9czKOhFd87h_LN2WpAd9VNe-H4lDBhacOZrGhkBsxLPHUy6g-yiZuCfv1zOxWx7s9ZllvFy62OX30nxeh4VBfP95NfitCUTjiEWg_Nz6R2EjVJabzr1JPH5XboI32CcHxiWfk/s1600/SDC10186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Qf7FXV9czKOhFd87h_LN2WpAd9VNe-H4lDBhacOZrGhkBsxLPHUy6g-yiZuCfv1zOxWx7s9ZllvFy62OX30nxeh4VBfP95NfitCUTjiEWg_Nz6R2EjVJabzr1JPH5XboI32CcHxiWfk/s320/SDC10186.JPG" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surinamese students collecting marine debris.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnE0Vzf4qFjCZIjN3jJGxAGPclbM5HK2CopnhunlBt6jlCJy0Yf9DY529Y_JpYhBOCEjuh4usFIl_LL2rqb6BlrEyAPnhH3RKF6fy5QJh5NtqGhnVUR0PjPyj4lbglG4OE4V2kudcVheM/s1600/Laura%252CInes%252CMaudBeachCleanUp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnE0Vzf4qFjCZIjN3jJGxAGPclbM5HK2CopnhunlBt6jlCJy0Yf9DY529Y_JpYhBOCEjuh4usFIl_LL2rqb6BlrEyAPnhH3RKF6fy5QJh5NtqGhnVUR0PjPyj4lbglG4OE4V2kudcVheM/s200/Laura%252CInes%252CMaudBeachCleanUp.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costa Rica students collecting debris</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNbDncwKQmwI0K1FQ0UcPzDsEBYJbI8IQG-xgtj-VyPZhpT_X0AVcyN-u7VZRkXbDIobubztSjzUaEOdINE3XJe7cAqvrMeoDyjMrXs6TPbtnGwuhdxicOzD7ZTIDmoH4rWc7vHKYoBI/s1600/batdrik068_JFR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNbDncwKQmwI0K1FQ0UcPzDsEBYJbI8IQG-xgtj-VyPZhpT_X0AVcyN-u7VZRkXbDIobubztSjzUaEOdINE3XJe7cAqvrMeoDyjMrXs6TPbtnGwuhdxicOzD7ZTIDmoH4rWc7vHKYoBI/s320/batdrik068_JFR.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatchlings trapped in plastic trash Galibi, Suriname ©Sentman</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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These photos show two of our student groups collecting marine debris off of local beaches. These beaches are also nesting areas for sea turtle populations. When the students went out to collect debris they made first hand field observations about the amount and types of plastic pollution they were able to find on their beaches. The volume and diversity of trash made clear to the participating groups just how large a problem plastic pollution is becoming throughout the worlds oceans. Photos like the two here illustrate how both adult and hatchling turtles are at risk from trash that washes up in their resting and nesting locations around the globe. Marine debris is not just an entanglement hazard to turtles swimming in the ocean but<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulY1CtbvkGeanmEoxc9JBjBnN_iBOr9gIcl1Opf18HHVZjcF2-mZpExR1UR5p6j18IkVcLTlAFSENXGpRyqC_M23j1UFjdM8f7ZFanQ02XvvK7d5V174VDG62V7f7q-dHWD2aVGL0z4g/s1600/IMG_2043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulY1CtbvkGeanmEoxc9JBjBnN_iBOr9gIcl1Opf18HHVZjcF2-mZpExR1UR5p6j18IkVcLTlAFSENXGpRyqC_M23j1UFjdM8f7ZFanQ02XvvK7d5V174VDG62V7f7q-dHWD2aVGL0z4g/s320/IMG_2043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rope washed up on Hawaiian beach. © 2010 Wayne Sentman</td></tr>
</tbody></table> also can trap hatchlings as they emerge from nests and attempt to make their way back to the ocean. Increasingly plastic pollution that makes it way into the ocean is also finding its way into the marine food chain and is even being ingested directly by sea turtles. <a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/03/sea-turtle-plastic/">A recent article</a> calls the sea turtle the new "albatross" of the seas. This as we are starting to find turtles, <a href="http://naturefinder.blogspot.com/2009/03/midway-atoll-national-wildlife-refuge.html">that like the Laysan and Blackfooted Albatross of the Northwest Hawaiian islands</a> also have stomachs full of plastic. Given that plastic can take 20 to 1000 years to break down in the oceans it is very likely that almost all of the plastic produced by man that has EVER ended up in our seas is still there. Given the scope of the problem plastic pollution posses to human and wildlife populations the marine debris sea turtle artwork created by the various groups proved very inspirational, serving to remind us that art can offer a unique interpretation of environmental problems. An interpretation that hopefully inspires the viewer to find solutions and change behaviors (reduce use of single-use plastics) rather than be overwhelmed by the problem. To follow are pictures of the art the students created with the debris that they collected. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOvOOUcqgAiXVVqo5b_PqTo-asO5JyYDfToGzax7zraZ8cRmzqk1c0gS-63XioYcqGN7pbia4K-bx0obZHjHCwj-Mw53PLpR7SRqZ-TEDc5mAujlh0VHS_jLkyUd6PVMKjppEmF2Ab4Y/s1600/DSCN1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigOvOOUcqgAiXVVqo5b_PqTo-asO5JyYDfToGzax7zraZ8cRmzqk1c0gS-63XioYcqGN7pbia4K-bx0obZHjHCwj-Mw53PLpR7SRqZ-TEDc5mAujlh0VHS_jLkyUd6PVMKjppEmF2Ab4Y/s320/DSCN1241.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gayle Bornovski who oversaw the Palau art project holding the Fishing Float hatchling.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqhz6aXpy28XA-CpTYgc4ibVIWKqJvW_A2_Jks39X37-drmfVgYCAij3914k43rnK79QW7vnJgr24dS3Aku666VqNlr9AhgPlBZVQK8cFSFEnGKym3o7Q-VwVBNj3uBcR22_Y9dNbTjA/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-04-11+at+1.30.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqhz6aXpy28XA-CpTYgc4ibVIWKqJvW_A2_Jks39X37-drmfVgYCAij3914k43rnK79QW7vnJgr24dS3Aku666VqNlr9AhgPlBZVQK8cFSFEnGKym3o7Q-VwVBNj3uBcR22_Y9dNbTjA/s400/Screen+shot+2011-04-11+at+1.30.47+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Leatherback" from Suriname with a ribbed carapace made from beach collected plastic water bottles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ45t5Qn3i7EPsFtEP_ywoMV5IARLrA40cKc-Lyo7HvkGbkJlgs0mqtEKcp6xWJ588nEpSfjWLJcKkzH3BLCnbzofkr5msfZTnzAISHyzRxaUFpHFqI2ZZjKA-u-M1_bbLPj0PFISM9s/s1600/IMG_2783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ45t5Qn3i7EPsFtEP_ywoMV5IARLrA40cKc-Lyo7HvkGbkJlgs0mqtEKcp6xWJ588nEpSfjWLJcKkzH3BLCnbzofkr5msfZTnzAISHyzRxaUFpHFqI2ZZjKA-u-M1_bbLPj0PFISM9s/s320/IMG_2783.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oahu Students with their Marine Debris Sea Turtles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHhLEnu8WTFX_t4LxydI5IHyyU5dLPPxITlvyhZOWFr_Vk62oQi_ATd7q6GWCQ3Z3Xmx3_Xp5trRPdO3JA0B_HHzZ953vfch56flfadrQFjuWIiOuhNylpj8pLvcS0SBifwH678bTxa0/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHhLEnu8WTFX_t4LxydI5IHyyU5dLPPxITlvyhZOWFr_Vk62oQi_ATd7q6GWCQ3Z3Xmx3_Xp5trRPdO3JA0B_HHzZ953vfch56flfadrQFjuWIiOuhNylpj8pLvcS0SBifwH678bTxa0/s400/IMG_0343.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belize students "Turtle" (back left) and Story board they made to go with it. Kenya and Palau turtles in foreground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS33K0h4Lj8RHq35jjYuU2mMVV2RSS_HQbBZ2GY9MoHeuzA2lo5Zctnmq4z5BEV7h7Kuaj6oy0Xoxus6L1agvSSnWhyRKfuXCcea_X87irzKIhJYwahHP55rAoUv10CEgB0i2DH2A61lg/s1600/IMG_9671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS33K0h4Lj8RHq35jjYuU2mMVV2RSS_HQbBZ2GY9MoHeuzA2lo5Zctnmq4z5BEV7h7Kuaj6oy0Xoxus6L1agvSSnWhyRKfuXCcea_X87irzKIhJYwahHP55rAoUv10CEgB0i2DH2A61lg/s320/IMG_9671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International Students in Costa Rica with their Marine Debris Turtle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UA7-sQPGZBpqojc6XHB6HxQ7WMZryTWcqxdVnBEjEB4HiiwJadJDJM2d5dCsk-Z46OUTYjtPg6VKeVvqjkEl9Kv9ViXSYuXZluza1iu4ystOWOVLWkDyPszgn8TEsFPdJaTil10-d6U/s1600/turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UA7-sQPGZBpqojc6XHB6HxQ7WMZryTWcqxdVnBEjEB4HiiwJadJDJM2d5dCsk-Z46OUTYjtPg6VKeVvqjkEl9Kv9ViXSYuXZluza1iu4ystOWOVLWkDyPszgn8TEsFPdJaTil10-d6U/s400/turtle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molokai High School Creation - Ho'olehua, Hawaii</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo70L8gAYonWENHq1szYc66cQJAIBEVuW6K7KM1xCFLNTgnEqY0Pzrukps209HE4RKk72yxnOmliLKkCUk164daKE1zrX439e-pDnqgIzcRXhB8LiEW5zdLeWakFA0Ew0HJbtAKpNf6og/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo70L8gAYonWENHq1szYc66cQJAIBEVuW6K7KM1xCFLNTgnEqY0Pzrukps209HE4RKk72yxnOmliLKkCUk164daKE1zrX439e-pDnqgIzcRXhB8LiEW5zdLeWakFA0Ew0HJbtAKpNf6og/s320/IMG_0304.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marine Debris Sea Turtles on Display at the 5IMDC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>With all of the wonderful art that was made, we managed to display some of the items at the <a href="http://www.5imdc.org/program/6thgyre/">5th International Marine Debris Conference</a> that was held in Honolulu, Hawaii over the 20 - 25 March. Additionally the two Kenya turtles (pictured at the top of this blog post) made under the direction of professional artist Andrew McNaughton and with help from the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/OceanicSociety#%21/album.php?aid=618575&id=275519980370">Umoja Curio Sellers</a> and the <a href="http://www.watamu.biz/watamu-community.php?cid=32">Watamu Marine Association Community Waste Management and Recycling Project</a> ended up continuing their journey around the globe. They were assisted in this migration by new friends in Hong Kong, where they will be utilized to promote <a href="http://www.ecovisionasia.com/hkcoastalcleanup/">community involvement with coastal beach clean-up projects planned for 2011 and 2012.</a> These events will be planned in part by <a href="http://www.ecozine.org/">ECOZINE</a>. Currently the Belize and Palau turtles are being exhibited at the <a href="http://iconferences.seaturtle.org/">31st Annual Sea Turtle Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology & Conservation</a> in San Diego, CA.<br />
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I am so happy that so many great groups, teachers, and artists contributed to this project. And thanks to their efforts to clean up the beaches in their own backyard used by sea turtles around the globe. A good article that sums up the complete scope of threats to marine turtles can be found on the <a href="http://www.actionbioscience.org/biodiversity/mansfield.html">BioScience website.</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5ADK_k1pEfw" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe>naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-16332909177703453602011-02-26T10:02:00.007-05:002011-03-07T13:16:37.797-05:00The Sixth Gyre: Art, Oceans, and Plastic Pollution - Marine Debris Art Exhibit in Hawaii - 20-25 March 2011<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvvCiiItJVMTnonF1UFl_NnQLXm-xOvJIZrK7xj79GZ6PGqpg3HasJsTbFzFvJDP8zmQBXC-_AgPx-Y4CdlI-Nh_cYo12lmDpmx7pnlKBanKuZsTAYMrX8O_FdPXwgRBG5Tzp37w71rE/s1600/mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvvCiiItJVMTnonF1UFl_NnQLXm-xOvJIZrK7xj79GZ6PGqpg3HasJsTbFzFvJDP8zmQBXC-_AgPx-Y4CdlI-Nh_cYo12lmDpmx7pnlKBanKuZsTAYMrX8O_FdPXwgRBG5Tzp37w71rE/s320/mirror.jpg" width="172" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© 2010 Pam Longobardi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The past few months have been busy planning a Marine Debris Art Exhibit for the <a href="http://www.5imdc.org/">5th International Marine Debris Conference</a> being held in Honolulu, Hawaii this March. In August of 2010 my collaborator <a href="http://www.pamlongobardi.com/">Pam Longobardi</a> a professor of Art at Georgia State University, herself a talented artist, and I submitted a proposal to organize an Exhibit showcasing the marine debris art created by a group of talented professional artists. The conference organizers NOAA and UNEP have supported our efforts and over the last 6 months we have been putting together a wonderful collaboration of talented and internationally recognized artists. The art selected for this exhibit was produced by 7 professional artists who have devoted much of their study to both understanding and interpreting the social causes and ecological challenges of marine pollution. The collaborating artists are internationally recognized for their ability to utilize art to visually interpret the human impacts of consumption and how that impact extends to marine ecosystems. The pieces of art in this exhibit reflect that aptitude. It is hoped that this exhibit will inspire thought about the role art can play interpreting conservation issues to the public, and how art may also inspire creative solutions from viewers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY2PFVVpPlc3cegxyY83ow5xlev6khBDbnf3vrQJ44BL0Mrlph7d0FvpKpy8wUYMm6bYadADBApxyESSCmxlyZGtaxGabaMq1Le5xTlHlT6BvCEC_-GSxzHFuvD6l1VX2vvZ9lmyNdr0/s1600/amc-main.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY2PFVVpPlc3cegxyY83ow5xlev6khBDbnf3vrQJ44BL0Mrlph7d0FvpKpy8wUYMm6bYadADBApxyESSCmxlyZGtaxGabaMq1Le5xTlHlT6BvCEC_-GSxzHFuvD6l1VX2vvZ9lmyNdr0/s400/amc-main.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guitar Series inlay of flip-flops © 2010 Andrew McNaughton</td></tr>
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<b>Exhibit Statement: </b> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">Seven professional artists unite to illustrate the environmental challenges marine ecosystems face due to discarded plastic. In its entirety their work guides the audience to an inescapable vantage point. One from which it is no longer credible to maintain a culpable ignorance of the impacts plastic pollution is having on our oceans as well as the wildlife and human populations dependent on them. In combining these works the viewer’s journey mirrors the path of awareness and responsibility each artist experienced through intimate exposure to this issue.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">Taken together, this body of work is transformative, enabling viewers to interpret their own role in the creation of marine pollution. The exhibit integrates in situ observations with artistic innovation, and bridges the boundary in-between. The juxtaposition of powerful images of environmental tragedy alongside artistically styled works that incorporate discarded plastics prompts the viewer to identify creative measures to reduce plastic from ending up in our oceans, rather than being overwhelmed by the challenge. The viewer ultimately shifts from blaming others to taking personal responsibility, engaged with the marine environment and therefore invested in finding solutions to reducing marine pollution sources. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIRhmAlaiLZGBsSYJjsindFXcFHHvTm4AjKBYgS6f9Qt8DSJdsUAwjHEbR5UYO9PGgD-3OwYy-PL0Rvp85Ir50eZ4qAy6pSxHGTphztY4QufUHZiId8SGJYOXU8WhLgYAAbukcB7hAT0/s1600/octoplas_gallery_8284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIRhmAlaiLZGBsSYJjsindFXcFHHvTm4AjKBYgS6f9Qt8DSJdsUAwjHEbR5UYO9PGgD-3OwYy-PL0Rvp85Ir50eZ4qAy6pSxHGTphztY4QufUHZiId8SGJYOXU8WhLgYAAbukcB7hAT0/s200/octoplas_gallery_8284.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Octoplas</i> - © 2009 Michelle Lougee </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">The artists participating in this exhibit are:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.andyhughes.net/">Andrew Hughes</a> - UK</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.pamlongobardi.com/">Pam Longobardi</a> - USA </i></b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.diannacohen.com/_portfolio/home.html">Dianna Cohen</a> - USA</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.susanmiddleton.com/Susan_Middleton/Home.html">Susan Middleton</a> - USA</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.liittschwager.com/">David Liittschwager</a> - USA</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.watamu.biz/member-list.php?cid=98">Andrew McNaughton</a> - Kenya</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.mlougee.com/gyre/">Michelle Lougee</a> - USA</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.pamlongobardi.com/"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">Over the next few weeks I will write more about these artists (and others that we could not include) and their art. Looking at both how art helps us all interpret our connection to the natural world, in this case the marine environment, and the personal journey of how these artists discovered marine debris. I have started a new blog (click on title below) to focus specifically on these topics called:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="http://marinedebrisart.blogspot.com/">The Fine Art of Marine Debris </a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UDhUKCyZQy3nrt4Ag5YdMc5XgzPVAFESPEg78gzkXG1fEh9w-74ZbGLmoaPdhBqnt803QEWz5EADCYxqXEUkKwqAXtJkafcX2teAXrQrRL9fkL2MOVEf378LoV8VTXjCJHGUumPYLAg/s1600/%25288x10%2529-01-Laysan_debris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UDhUKCyZQy3nrt4Ag5YdMc5XgzPVAFESPEg78gzkXG1fEh9w-74ZbGLmoaPdhBqnt803QEWz5EADCYxqXEUkKwqAXtJkafcX2teAXrQrRL9fkL2MOVEf378LoV8VTXjCJHGUumPYLAg/s320/%25288x10%2529-01-Laysan_debris.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marine debris on Laysan Island, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument - photo by David Liittschwager © 2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">This project has been supported by:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><a href="http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/">NOAA Marine Debris Division</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.unep.org/">United Nations Environmental Program</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.oceanconservancy.org/">Ocean Conservancy</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/">Oceanic Society</a><br />
<a href="http://www2.gsu.edu/%7Ewwwart/art_design/3288.html">Georgia State University</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><a href="http://surfrideratlanta.org/">Surfrider Foundation - Atlanta Chapter</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><a href="http://scenictreasures.com/">Scenic Treasures Safaris - Kenya</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/earthartbyamanda">Earth-Art by Amanda</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thinkgreenliveclean.com/">Flo Water LLC </a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.uniqueco-designs.com/">UniqEco Designs</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.inthe-bag.com/">In The Bag</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><i></i>naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-58725218360314665272010-07-07T16:09:00.001-04:002013-03-23T13:54:11.873-04:00Kenya Eco-Safari with Snorkeling in Zanzibar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvy9nkBOHLZtJEy5cXcQvDJ_AV9Y6GS33rALOlugGrNYSg3gckJxWVBLs3hFAKo_oJzIj6BKmWbjCyrUYIsx9MH3KeVOKcqt5ihvI3sbYyl_cEUeYlARzsJ2A5ySVKqZZHhPpncVBaOGA/s1600/_MG_9294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvy9nkBOHLZtJEy5cXcQvDJ_AV9Y6GS33rALOlugGrNYSg3gckJxWVBLs3hFAKo_oJzIj6BKmWbjCyrUYIsx9MH3KeVOKcqt5ihvI3sbYyl_cEUeYlARzsJ2A5ySVKqZZHhPpncVBaOGA/s320/_MG_9294.JPG" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolM90BxmEJsddvGiTFsQ2S389bN1ftelJX5npxOIcAETNZFz_e9D_RU-DxCPrGtL5PFJ12q4UujfdI7rqyUFttTwtrsPd-IhwyZFRFfptR1Id23G1d4RzalfdljxYNjbBnzCqf0Xz_4U/s1600/CRW_7226_JFR_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolM90BxmEJsddvGiTFsQ2S389bN1ftelJX5npxOIcAETNZFz_e9D_RU-DxCPrGtL5PFJ12q4UujfdI7rqyUFttTwtrsPd-IhwyZFRFfptR1Id23G1d4RzalfdljxYNjbBnzCqf0Xz_4U/s320/CRW_7226_JFR_2.jpg" /></a>July is usually the time of year I start planning to lead my safari to Kenya and Tanzania. This year I will not be making the journey but I thought I would share with you some images and experiences from past expeditions. I first went to Kenya in 1987 as part of a <a href="http://www.fieldstudies.org/pages/4157_kenya.cfm">School for Field Studies wildlife management program</a>. It was on this program that i met one of my closest friends, Todd Palmer. Currently <a href="http://web.mac.com/toadpalmer/Site/welcome.html">Dr. Todd is a professor at University of Florida</a>, and his research focuses on <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17992062">ant - plant mutualisms</a>, and more recently <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/science/01obtermites.html?_r=1&ref=science">termite influence on ecosystem structure</a>. I mention this only because it was with Todd that I returned to Kenya in 2002 to help teach field courses to undergraduate students. From 2002 through 2005 we led 5 separate 6-week fields programs, allowing students 3.5 weeks of experiential field based learning opportunity at the <a href="http://www.mpala.org/">Mpala Research Center</a> in Laikipia, 1-week of a community oriented service project, and 1.5-weeks of safari to the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and on the coastal town of <a href="http://www.watamu.biz/index.php">Watamu</a>. It was through our experiences with these student groups that I began organizing <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/natural%20history/kenya-safari">custom safaris for Oceanic Society</a> and private groups. Since 2004 I have been leading a variety of safaris to Kenya and Tanzania.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIUQq__E1NOaIpkIIJmH7P2PvGnuUjyHB_fNEY3V_lwdF1MgAuhG7j9qG1o4smUuQoDNf2pwnapKkrAehNs8_OuuYl71QowsKk38-aP_yQydPlNk-NoNI5UhvJ2Kn0Pu7u_LRA93VTqg/s1600/leopard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIUQq__E1NOaIpkIIJmH7P2PvGnuUjyHB_fNEY3V_lwdF1MgAuhG7j9qG1o4smUuQoDNf2pwnapKkrAehNs8_OuuYl71QowsKk38-aP_yQydPlNk-NoNI5UhvJ2Kn0Pu7u_LRA93VTqg/s200/leopard.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRZlX7XU2ee2h0kMuf5FXXXBS06wp-a4FuaML6xAhxoPWFDuepAfqudc_0eXfYv_XqU9qAVZv1FS4J-II42yzKq-7Hh1MQREN7Pdd2FeMW3Mr20V6me6f0usI3LI6Nbdik4ik8M5Gyu0/s1600/lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRZlX7XU2ee2h0kMuf5FXXXBS06wp-a4FuaML6xAhxoPWFDuepAfqudc_0eXfYv_XqU9qAVZv1FS4J-II42yzKq-7Hh1MQREN7Pdd2FeMW3Mr20V6me6f0usI3LI6Nbdik4ik8M5Gyu0/s200/lion.jpg" width="200" /></a>With our student groups we had the opportunity to participate in many interesting research projects, some specifically examining human/wildlife conflicts. In different years we have witnessed capture and radio collaring of various African predators, lions and leopards were two of the more exciting. Now returning with ecotourists groups we have been able to have similar experiences. Unique, up close and personal encounters with nature, and at the same time efforts are made to support local and effective conservation programs in the countries we visit. Part of the fee the participants pay goes directly to a variety of conservancies that have been established to create an economic support system for conservation among local communities. Additionally groups visiting Mpala research center and <a href="http://www.chumbeisland.com/">Chumbe Island</a> in Zanzibar, pay fees that directly support these research centers and their educational programs. These safaris allow the participant to connect through firsthand experiences, with conservation organizations on the ground in Kenya and Tanzania that are directly involved in community driven projects with conservation management objectives at the core of their research.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC4CsX3S0I0p0y4kSDfRWJ-IowQCJzGVCdhnfb8ZDKHtmG_jrk2vy0NSY3mY7HXthjko14XZ7bU6y32LQE3h9XphCfZkHGDwCdKjwudih9FmRk3CLzh02LRZJHgxCaslLSasNLJIzFcc/s1600/_MG_9664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC4CsX3S0I0p0y4kSDfRWJ-IowQCJzGVCdhnfb8ZDKHtmG_jrk2vy0NSY3mY7HXthjko14XZ7bU6y32LQE3h9XphCfZkHGDwCdKjwudih9FmRk3CLzh02LRZJHgxCaslLSasNLJIzFcc/s200/_MG_9664.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVPlvvJ9p8dUdsHMGoeQKA8Vkp5ceDGmznRS4_kchiN4os3xt3ytFKrcGn9-LpUY-UseLteoSeHRWhmebUgrb-aqdKqfCHrq1kMTUVw_liD0K7Z-MIK1k8bks0fylATmBmF8hGGJVHEk/s1600/zebracroc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVPlvvJ9p8dUdsHMGoeQKA8Vkp5ceDGmznRS4_kchiN4os3xt3ytFKrcGn9-LpUY-UseLteoSeHRWhmebUgrb-aqdKqfCHrq1kMTUVw_liD0K7Z-MIK1k8bks0fylATmBmF8hGGJVHEk/s320/zebracroc.jpg" /></a> Along the way our groups share many amazing experiences. Wildlife is obviously what drew many, however it is frequently the people that we interact with along the way, who add a special intimacy to what we are lucky enough to experience. We start in <a href="http://www.mpala.org/Mpala_Conservancy.php">Laikipia</a>, where the largest concentrations of game in all of East Africa (outside of national parks) can be found. We visit Mpala, <a href="http://www.olpejetaconservancy.org/">Ol Pejejeta</a>, and <a href="http://www.lewa.org/">Lewa Downs</a>. From here we depart for Lake Nakuru and then fly to the Masai Mara arriving just in time for the height of the <a href="http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/wildebeest">wildebeest migration</a>. After a brief return to Nairobi we depart the following day to Chumbe Island Marine Reserve, off the coast of Zanzibar. After all the dust of safari, it is great to spend three days snorkeling along <a href="http://www.chumbeisland.com/Reef%20Sanctuary/reef%20sanctuary.html">Chumbe's protected coral reefs</a> and learning about the coastal ecology of Africa. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtyZf0F_jhdSIlhm3myTL5TY0-TLg7lCYOqWjyq_xmb6mGeBbGXvfq-_EYt03hEi6ASmC9y4yEkDKoc232ecmHbHhi73anHZISng7ET5os2GSLV9ZRHlFDZvjcL4bSTjq1zuxU9Ma_l4/s1600/_MG_9688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtyZf0F_jhdSIlhm3myTL5TY0-TLg7lCYOqWjyq_xmb6mGeBbGXvfq-_EYt03hEi6ASmC9y4yEkDKoc232ecmHbHhi73anHZISng7ET5os2GSLV9ZRHlFDZvjcL4bSTjq1zuxU9Ma_l4/s320/_MG_9688.JPG" /></a></div>
I hope you might join us on a future safari, please feel free to contact me for more information. In the meantime click on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.123320366853.116648.553501853&type=1" target="_blank">this link for a slide show</a> from last years safari. I am planning two summer eco-safaris for 2011. In future posts I will include more details about specific parts mentioned above.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRZlX7XU2ee2h0kMuf5FXXXBS06wp-a4FuaML6xAhxoPWFDuepAfqudc_0eXfYv_XqU9qAVZv1FS4J-II42yzKq-7Hh1MQREN7Pdd2FeMW3Mr20V6me6f0usI3LI6Nbdik4ik8M5Gyu0/s1600/lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-60537997831099739512010-06-08T11:23:00.006-04:002010-08-03T17:46:26.498-04:00World Oceans Day at The New England Aquarium with the "Green Team"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMe_vCg_mXA6P11a9fauV1t03K9qMrzFZ-HdJQ_cxW_MmEISRL64nRIF8LyPJrtwjRZ4l8h7YZg90zghSWlGZOpzavzfN0QzWyB3H_PEyINlgakWPbQJDyKvIKFJNl8ZZ1oSRco4-YJM/s1600/IMG_4331_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMe_vCg_mXA6P11a9fauV1t03K9qMrzFZ-HdJQ_cxW_MmEISRL64nRIF8LyPJrtwjRZ4l8h7YZg90zghSWlGZOpzavzfN0QzWyB3H_PEyINlgakWPbQJDyKvIKFJNl8ZZ1oSRco4-YJM/s320/IMG_4331_2.jpg" /></a></div>This past Saturday I spent the afternoon at the <a href="http://www.neaq.org/index.php">New England Aquarium</a> with the <a href="http://www.warrenprescott.com/programs.htm">Warren Prescott School</a> 5th grade "Green Team" participating in a <a href="http://news.neaq.org/2010/05/celebrate-world-oceans-day-at-aquarium.html">World Oceans Day event</a>. I was joined by my collaborator <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3465155/videos/sort:date">Alisyn Johnson</a>, and the students science teacher, Tina Champagne. Our group had been invited by the Aquarium education staff to participate in the Oceans Day family event. We were one of about 30 groups that set up tables to inform visitors to the aquarium about projects and things they could do to help the world's oceans. Tina and Alisyn organized the Green Team students to come to the event and talk to the folks there about the CO2 offset project that they had worked on this year, <a href="http://naturefinder.blogspot.com/2009/11/students-forego-red-meat-to-offset.html">giving up red meat to offset CO2 produced by air travel related to marine research and ecotourism</a>. This project started in September of 2009 and has continued throughout the year. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDliqeypEsGAE3wKwzNZglIVL7ZhZzAjRkX66h7M1TP5RAK6rJsBNH5EFF870D-hBuI0bJuQJq2peDSLw3cPubJ6uGnCdQJlOz8DBck33aBkdzeLp03CMY4ljX1783CddiuwItE7Aof8/s1600/IMG_4337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDliqeypEsGAE3wKwzNZglIVL7ZhZzAjRkX66h7M1TP5RAK6rJsBNH5EFF870D-hBuI0bJuQJq2peDSLw3cPubJ6uGnCdQJlOz8DBck33aBkdzeLp03CMY4ljX1783CddiuwItE7Aof8/s320/IMG_4337.jpg" /></a>It is a combined effort of the Warren Prescott School, <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/">Oceanic Society</a> (a non-profit marine conservation organization) and <a href="http://quen.ch/">Quen.ch</a> (a non-profit formed by a group of Harvard Extension School graduate students). During the course of the year over 400 students and their family members from this Boston Public School have pledged to stop eating red meat for varying lengths of time. From this project over 15,000-lbs of CO2 has potentially been offset by their efforts. The tie in to the marine environment for the students has been facilitated by connecting this offset to the <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/carbonoffset">Oceanic Society's marine conservation projects</a> and through <a href="http://vimeo.com/10475827">lectures provided by Harvard professors and graduate students</a>. Assisted by Alisyn and Tina's efforts the students have connected with me in the field via SKYPE from both, Belize and <a href="http://www.fws.gov/midway/">Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge</a>. During these audio/video calls students learned about sea turtle, seabird, and coral reef conservation efforts directly from the field location. The Midway call was especially exciting due to the background vocalizations of thousands of <a href="http://www.fws.gov/midway/laal.html">Laysan Albatross</a>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A4ueQPexSN4EmK-cCkX8W93SPiGtVHD8482DoVQoh8cmCNAC-JRoy0qZBpXl9dzUhPCTE7oWRx3QoN_fCH4XofL_bFaOhIWsYesqd16QkP8Brjfy2zFmi-aqn84AL3la0BZVFiWkTGo/s1600/IMG_4335_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A4ueQPexSN4EmK-cCkX8W93SPiGtVHD8482DoVQoh8cmCNAC-JRoy0qZBpXl9dzUhPCTE7oWRx3QoN_fCH4XofL_bFaOhIWsYesqd16QkP8Brjfy2zFmi-aqn84AL3la0BZVFiWkTGo/s320/IMG_4335_2.jpg" /></a>During the Aquarium event the students were able to take on the role of educators, talking to parents and other children about the environmental concepts they had become familiar with over the course of the year. Here they told all <a href="http://psufoodscience.typepad.com/psu_food_science/.../es702969f.pdf">about the huge amount of CO2 generated by the factory farming of beef</a>, what virtual water is and how red meat production consumes huge amounts of water relative to the production of other meats and vegetables. One of the many fun facts shared with the Aquarium visitors was that if a family substituted <a href="http://www.vl-irrigation.org/.../kreith_1991_water_inputs_in_ca_food_production-excerpt.pdf">2-lbs of chicken for 2-lbs of beef once a week for a year, over 200,000 gallons of water would be saved</a>, enough to fill the aquarium's "Giant Ocean Tank."<br />
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It was a great day, many families participated, at our table many even made their own pledges to give up red meat for a week or more. 17 students from the Green Team assisted, and they also were able to visit with the other groups present, learning about different ways for them to continue to help conserve and teach others about the worlds Oceans.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9TJgl-af0gS7nZc3uT7ekq0u6yiElI8dOatSQ-zPkCq_eLMxqEkJtzBd00oacff5HHgqUORxf7jhgw2CKt913HM2GIr3GjAUkGtQO-tX3aYr2WjBNVoxykPi3jLkYxLRCm9ee979jAs/s1600/IMG_4341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9TJgl-af0gS7nZc3uT7ekq0u6yiElI8dOatSQ-zPkCq_eLMxqEkJtzBd00oacff5HHgqUORxf7jhgw2CKt913HM2GIr3GjAUkGtQO-tX3aYr2WjBNVoxykPi3jLkYxLRCm9ee979jAs/s320/IMG_4341.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu0JEo6cCzvH4OLVcRDzaFnrwny0DFbzpGfVlDUQRMrOdeqQ5kn48Hou1VLsBSppDj1hrZalw0WuYDh8IVkuzNZmHXjyOhrrqnP8fGT81D3IytzrFk05kyddB6FCdZVnzZO-6d7ZEFcQ/s1600/IMG_4346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu0JEo6cCzvH4OLVcRDzaFnrwny0DFbzpGfVlDUQRMrOdeqQ5kn48Hou1VLsBSppDj1hrZalw0WuYDh8IVkuzNZmHXjyOhrrqnP8fGT81D3IytzrFk05kyddB6FCdZVnzZO-6d7ZEFcQ/s200/IMG_4346.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-91072949738217137802010-05-19T15:08:00.011-04:002010-08-03T17:48:41.867-04:00Suriname, Leatherback & Green sea turtles and jaguars!<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB3hkayUBUg9FW1BHwQ2ITaAkQuOhbYXix6PVfgZ6i7EUCuwx7_V7EhaBXHf0NCWo-tEomknumn9SIdnfCc_IccF3nqnde6CMkc0LhuRCaav2Q1-t6ZT18dWPhyphenhyphen79Loo-jOMXtR_7qNw/s1600/CRW_7040_JFR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB3hkayUBUg9FW1BHwQ2ITaAkQuOhbYXix6PVfgZ6i7EUCuwx7_V7EhaBXHf0NCWo-tEomknumn9SIdnfCc_IccF3nqnde6CMkc0LhuRCaav2Q1-t6ZT18dWPhyphenhyphen79Loo-jOMXtR_7qNw/s320/CRW_7040_JFR.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzBPni7WwwmEcctiXzAGopGtdJ9cTZa0kTTm1QD1zOKMSbXSXoBN6yb8zxE17QUoAmzFmjS5OEBVPNGQD0WK28C9RSXD4mhQ5ybbGN2pRwwxcKNdoJyQcRGo5Z7IVeOLTS8rMfsXnaGg/s1600/_MG_9043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzBPni7WwwmEcctiXzAGopGtdJ9cTZa0kTTm1QD1zOKMSbXSXoBN6yb8zxE17QUoAmzFmjS5OEBVPNGQD0WK28C9RSXD4mhQ5ybbGN2pRwwxcKNdoJyQcRGo5Z7IVeOLTS8rMfsXnaGg/s320/_MG_9043.jpg" /></a></div>Now it is back to <a href="http://www.2docstock.com/Suriname/menu.html">Suriname</a> with a group of 13 people to continue <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/research/suriname-turtles">Oceanic Society’s Leatherback sea turtle monitoring project</a>. I have been going to Suriname since 2001, it is a wonderful country with vibrant wildlife populations. This research trip will take me back to the leatherback nesting beaches of Galibi Nature Reserve. Galibi is pretty remote, a 2-1/2 hour bus ride followed by another 2-1/2 hour boat ride gets you to one of the most productive <a href="http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2744/1071-8443%282007%296%5B87%3ANANSOT%5D2.0.CO%3B2">leatherback nesting areas</a> left in the world. Some nights we might see up to 40 leatherbacks nesting on the 3-km section of beach that we patrol. Green and <a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/oliveridley.htm">olive ridley sea turtles</a> also nest here. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0o7sjfBB8d3IVwijDCL_Uu4yWyDK25dyeYsy86Z7ZjrX-INQ-qafHIYQUBH5OO5NVHjEgreUqhh8KjlsNwFbc7-4jhxV_bSDD8e9us1NtDrCMqHTBh7bW794gd4NXY42a89sE-PZO-0/s1600/CRW_7057_JFR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0o7sjfBB8d3IVwijDCL_Uu4yWyDK25dyeYsy86Z7ZjrX-INQ-qafHIYQUBH5OO5NVHjEgreUqhh8KjlsNwFbc7-4jhxV_bSDD8e9us1NtDrCMqHTBh7bW794gd4NXY42a89sE-PZO-0/s320/CRW_7057_JFR.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hU8LZ9Xxhe0fv0JNlqj5SNYY6GFT47mqbEFrFv_jrt_nWsWAWwN-ZIWbHZphnVlfn7ywYYVUXR8apKrxODsIwqE2lAna4hdsLK4iWj7ePdc8VX4Dcndr5X_RaQvxQyYhTZcnRkKqQfE/s1600/IMG_1560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hU8LZ9Xxhe0fv0JNlqj5SNYY6GFT47mqbEFrFv_jrt_nWsWAWwN-ZIWbHZphnVlfn7ywYYVUXR8apKrxODsIwqE2lAna4hdsLK4iWj7ePdc8VX4Dcndr5X_RaQvxQyYhTZcnRkKqQfE/s320/IMG_1560.jpg" /></a>We stay at the <a href="http://www.stinasu.com/galibi_lodge.htm">Warana Lodge</a>, a modest shelter with 5 rooms that adjoin onto a large eating area. The building is right along the nesting beach and many nights while we are having dinner either nesting turtles or <a href="http://www.2docstock.com/Suriname/Photo%20Galleries/Wayne%20Sentman%20Images/Sentman.html">hatchlings</a> are spotted. There are many other creatures around the area as it is basically a tropical forest right out to the beach. We see squirrel monkeys, parrots, hawks, lizards, snakes, and sloths regularly. Even the occasional capybara has appeared near camp. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMyym_mZ_NId-KPNNjyqjyllk2vGRnlFsdITKTQzIymztLyj1kdEgI8WZp_sS8wJqtLMcvQGzaKIUqNKHranfZBuMhZXP_3RmtkXLEwyb9-FFrMfleTVvyxUzO1I-OoPDn912HZH9WSA/s1600/IMG_1585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMyym_mZ_NId-KPNNjyqjyllk2vGRnlFsdITKTQzIymztLyj1kdEgI8WZp_sS8wJqtLMcvQGzaKIUqNKHranfZBuMhZXP_3RmtkXLEwyb9-FFrMfleTVvyxUzO1I-OoPDn912HZH9WSA/s320/IMG_1585.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">One exciting visitor last year was a jaguar that was eating nesting green turtles. Each morning we would find jaguar tracks all along the beach where we had been out the night before monitoring nesting turtles. We never saw the actual jaguar but I am sure that it saw us. Every year individual <a href="http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/archives/mtn67/mtn67p11.shtml">jaguars in Galibi may take as many as 30 adult green turtles</a>. I am looking forward to seeing what will be going on this year.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEClSbh2ZrujfDC1Rt7eIW8eyTzCvTRzOnTnSNUqoosIadRgz1wXz2JS5pOBVlNxSGk65EYhwfoVL3O_YcBDZiGf1PVGfpdfEBZ4KMqvstmJcDFTGBex6tSovk2WJf8691dSsNFw8jbWU/s1600/CRW_7005_JFR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEClSbh2ZrujfDC1Rt7eIW8eyTzCvTRzOnTnSNUqoosIadRgz1wXz2JS5pOBVlNxSGk65EYhwfoVL3O_YcBDZiGf1PVGfpdfEBZ4KMqvstmJcDFTGBex6tSovk2WJf8691dSsNFw8jbWU/s320/CRW_7005_JFR.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xBPQxjbKt3Mj7ENlU5uDUa1wQa63iFhZq6JSX6o5wxWZrx305h98xFIAYgIn_4SxT56gCNAzNOp8Bx3cMbfdTHns-szst3vTJlTCIuvyfBUVXK-zOFFCDEaGEATM0h1mUyIPNFeTdgM/s1600/IMG_1540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xBPQxjbKt3Mj7ENlU5uDUa1wQa63iFhZq6JSX6o5wxWZrx305h98xFIAYgIn_4SxT56gCNAzNOp8Bx3cMbfdTHns-szst3vTJlTCIuvyfBUVXK-zOFFCDEaGEATM0h1mUyIPNFeTdgM/s320/IMG_1540.jpg" /></a>Our group of 13 is made up of primarily college students from the US and Suriname. The US students will be learning about field research and human wildlife conflicts related to the sea turtles nesting areas. The students from Suriname will be learning about <a href="http://www.ecotourism.org/">ecotourism</a> and how it may be an effective means to conserve their native ecosystems from <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/542592.stm">unsustainable human activities</a>. Oceanic’s has a long history working with the Suriname government and Galibi’s local villagers to promote sea turtle conservation and research in the area. In addition to exploring the topics above with the students our goals will be to resight previously PIT tagged leatherbacks from the nesters observed collecting size data on any resights, and determine hatching success for all <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0VNOJjDHh0">hatched nests</a> that we find. </div><br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Eh_BOqPzgAw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Eh_BOqPzgAw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-6604230992748962412010-04-19T16:58:00.002-04:002010-04-22T00:14:50.191-04:00Green Sea Turtle Tracking on Midway Atoll<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqK8Xkkb0hFTXFw7CFTmL-jiyVggpQe63DTmL6Wh0NQuqoZVmlzEWCpP0ZzPu6WjsWfPrdE53I7tORnWi5mOwfp39cgJlw7Kl3UiB5KhBjBDNglnmT3XDYaQPerkt5ld6y2p7sjfUWU8/s1600/_MG_9974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqK8Xkkb0hFTXFw7CFTmL-jiyVggpQe63DTmL6Wh0NQuqoZVmlzEWCpP0ZzPu6WjsWfPrdE53I7tORnWi5mOwfp39cgJlw7Kl3UiB5KhBjBDNglnmT3XDYaQPerkt5ld6y2p7sjfUWU8/s320/_MG_9974.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Today I am headed back to Midway Atoll with an Oceanic Society group of 16 persons. Three of these volunteers will be part of our Green Sea turtle "Scoping" mission. I will be joined at Midway by Marc Rice, Director of the Science and Technology and Sea Turtle Research Programs from the <a href="http://www.hpa.edu/">Hawaii Preparatory Academy.</a> We will be working closely with sea turtle guru <a href="http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/media/news/turtletalk07.php">George Balazs</a>, senior sea turtle biologist from the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries science center. Marc and George have been researching sea turtles at Midway and in Hawaii for <a href="http://www.wpcouncil.org/protected/Documents/Balazs_Chal_HIgr.pdf">over 30 years</a>. When I worked at Midway in 1998 to 2002 I was lucky enough on occasion, to get out in the field with George & Marc, and with FWS biologists to help tag and monitor sea turtles there. The last time either Marc or George have been able to get back to Midway was in 2001. We have proposed a <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/research/midwayturtles">Sea turtle scoping project through Oceanic Society</a> to the Midway Atoll NWR in an effort to look at what might be possible in the way of population assessment and monitoring of the sea turtles residing at <a href="http://www.fws.gov/midway/turtle.html">Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu-yfvaHqBakYYC-BK-3Xu9SoEAfX98BSwGQlT9uhOpEkNfrirk2MpSnut-0mt8nOexBoMKHj_UqEsqR_algMcvglJ6QNStHQ-i-MNzxNWbMKMNpZ75-GYuRrQoTEKQEj_CvOipJvVd0/s1600/_MG_9975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu-yfvaHqBakYYC-BK-3Xu9SoEAfX98BSwGQlT9uhOpEkNfrirk2MpSnut-0mt8nOexBoMKHj_UqEsqR_algMcvglJ6QNStHQ-i-MNzxNWbMKMNpZ75-GYuRrQoTEKQEj_CvOipJvVd0/s320/_MG_9975.jpg" /></a></div>Over the years about 180 sea turtles have been tagged at Midway with much interesting information coming from this effort. When Midway was closed to tourism in 2002 the main basking beach (Turtle Beach) utilized by the sea turtles there was afforded extra protections. This was also coincident to a reduction in overall human activity due to the reduced number of people accessing Midway. Over the intervening years the amount of turtles using the beach has increased. It is not uncommon these days to visit Turtle Beach and see 20 to 30 turtles out basking in the sun. In addition the first successful nesting activity ever recorded at Midway was observed in 2006. With a few more nests being sighted in the last few years. The efforts of FWS to manage the important resting areas for turtles and reduce overall disturbance events seems to be paying off in increased numbers of sea turtles basking and nesting events. As the numbers of turtles sighted on Turtle Beach has grown it may prove interesting to explore ways to monitor the activity and see if certain individuals are regularly sighted. By ID'ing individuals it may be possible to interpret whether sea turtle numbers are actually increasing at Midway or if simply more of the turtles that have always been at Midway have started to bask on the beach due to less regular disturbance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM39Vy-zkFiabfzbkTCFZmP5qlG3POg223yQtxZyxBzDwDwPh-DwNiiSP_WYBGVZLALLYonrtzrPT0YL5o41FRE4Iga6-_KhqtJ4hlnqUnWW1LUt70zqWTUSxZaxcTKwizXhVtAVj55Ig/s1600/_MG_9972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM39Vy-zkFiabfzbkTCFZmP5qlG3POg223yQtxZyxBzDwDwPh-DwNiiSP_WYBGVZLALLYonrtzrPT0YL5o41FRE4Iga6-_KhqtJ4hlnqUnWW1LUt70zqWTUSxZaxcTKwizXhVtAVj55Ig/s320/_MG_9972.jpg" /></a>During this week we will try and get a good assessment of basking activity, sex of animals basking, and whether animals are out on the beach at night, possibly an indication of predator avoidance rather than basking. Marc has worked on a <a href="http://www.turtles.org/honucam/kidshonucam.htm">project at big Island with the Hawaii Preparatory Academy</a> using video cameras to remotely monitor the behavior and successfully identify (and re-identify) individual turtles over time at the monitored sites. Using facial scale patterns and descriptive keywords it has been shown by Marc and others that sea turtles can be monitored without causing any disturbance to their resting behavior. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM1OZ8ow9V9MosKuOAssOW78lmZA-cuJe6eGIvSWyT1QaILMCzA2DGzFCFFr6wkYMWLebChBgLjtXtU1bfirvlagTGiUSqtBlpNhPC9K2M5C8f3WlD57947ETA3_COG_6TPoXqaySSJ0/s1600/_MG_9086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM1OZ8ow9V9MosKuOAssOW78lmZA-cuJe6eGIvSWyT1QaILMCzA2DGzFCFFr6wkYMWLebChBgLjtXtU1bfirvlagTGiUSqtBlpNhPC9K2M5C8f3WlD57947ETA3_COG_6TPoXqaySSJ0/s320/_MG_9086.jpg" /></a></div>Oceanic Society has a long history of helping in the research and protection of <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/trip/research/suriname-turtles">sea turtle populations with their volunteer projects</a>. One of our longest projects has been working with leatherback <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh_BOqPzgAw">sea turtles in Suriname</a>. We also have partnered with a great researcher in Ulithi Atoll, Jennifer Cruce, who is <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/con_ulithi-sea-turtle-project">working with local communities to protect and monitor green sea turtle populations</a> there. Through this preliminary fieldwork with FWS and George and Marc on Midway, we hope to continue that tradition. Offering a way to learn from the wonderful turtle activity we are witness to each year during our visitor programs at Midway. It will be great to be back out in the field with Marc after a 9 year hiatus. Stay tuned for updates on what we see and other interesting flora and fauna observed on Midway over the next 3 weeks.naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-56875899438300977512009-11-19T05:01:00.003-05:002009-12-04T21:38:13.012-05:00Students Forego Red Meat to offset CO2 from air travel for Marine Conservation Ecotourists to Palau<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAVXMtOAkh_TYZp82l7Kxu4i6FfhYpe-7-VaSQ9eg4BIKqPkkfSz9fi8JJLj3rKs58yAxW6KW0Bt1jM1MHRbLyRZlJAw1IPuPZvrubvN1G3qxLrD3y-CFaMaw4vw10UuqS9lrAPO_74w/s1600/IMG_7690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAVXMtOAkh_TYZp82l7Kxu4i6FfhYpe-7-VaSQ9eg4BIKqPkkfSz9fi8JJLj3rKs58yAxW6KW0Bt1jM1MHRbLyRZlJAw1IPuPZvrubvN1G3qxLrD3y-CFaMaw4vw10UuqS9lrAPO_74w/s320/IMG_7690.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>80 students from two 5th grade science classes and a 7th grade social studies class at the <a href="http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/node/529">Warren Prescott School</a>, a Boston Public School, gave up eating red meat for two weeks to help offset the CO2 generated by a marine conservation non-profit's (<a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/">Oceanic Society</a>) ecotourists. The ecotourist group of 10 persons left from Honolulu, Hawaii for an <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/nhexp_palau">8-day naturalist led educational snorkeling trip in the Rock Islands of Palau</a>. The students along with an additional 120 persons that they recruited from family, friends, and neighbors will offset approximately 4 tons of CO2 simply by <a href="http://www.grist.org/article/2009-05-21-on-cow-burps-meat-and-methane/">giving up eating red meat</a> for a two week time period.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20F6OEB-cXq-_1GC25RZgUZIyTT_GmSsI9RY1rToxFeC9kJQt1qyK5nc3FpyPhYk8jkfRnZvXgmw_krD7XPepiUcD0F3kDHNMWIqmpFIXr7quDGRJUEnntYDDiJ9nCeZxtDisP_w0UGI/s1600/IMG_7698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20F6OEB-cXq-_1GC25RZgUZIyTT_GmSsI9RY1rToxFeC9kJQt1qyK5nc3FpyPhYk8jkfRnZvXgmw_krD7XPepiUcD0F3kDHNMWIqmpFIXr7quDGRJUEnntYDDiJ9nCeZxtDisP_w0UGI/s320/IMG_7698.jpg" /></a>Prior to the group leaving for Palau the class was given a series of lectures from their teacher, Tina Champagne, the Oceanic Society biologist (and blogger), Wayne Sentman, and Educational Technologies, Harvard University Extension School Master's Candidate, Alisyn Johnson. The students came up with ideas to help facilitate their two weeks without red meat and get more individuals to participate, one student even had her family cat join in with the pilot program! The school was extremely supportive where the kitchen lunch staff helped the students by offering special lunch options for the participating students during the two week period.<br />
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The ecotour group who is currently in Palau learning about topics like <a href="http://www.msfpalau.org/">shark conservation</a>, <a href="http://www.coral.org/">coral reef ecology</a>, <a href="http://www.seaturtle.org/">sea turtle conservation</a>, and <a href="http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/.../marine_protected_areas/default.aspx">marine protected areas</a> was thrilled to learn of the students efforts. Many have opted to give up red meat while in Palau to show their support of the students efforts on their behalf. <br />
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This pilot program was set up as a cooperative experiment between the school, <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/">Oceanic Society</a>, and <a href="http://quen.ch/">Quen.ch</a> (a new non-profit established to facilitate web-based ecology learning for students). After feedback is collected from the students and teachers that participated in this study, Oceanic Society is hoping to utilize this project on a larger scale to link this CO2 offset program with marine conservation educational opportunities for middle and high school students. <br />
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<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UTkfm2O3tUU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UTkfm2O3tUU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-91352642449806913922009-09-15T16:38:00.008-04:002010-04-23T01:46:43.103-04:00Marine Debris, Art, and Snorkeling in Fiji<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmBGzDtdxGLRRTEEA7wIbujHC33y1Q_2RtLBoZCpLbxXfXv5idYrMsGFZxu67i2N08xNXKp4vN5LTa8wtXuDoiUnRH68PjfpyncXUd0E_d1k8Nqdl0d4Uxqr_r04E5dddZQT6gcx1CVA/s1600-h/IMG_2122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmBGzDtdxGLRRTEEA7wIbujHC33y1Q_2RtLBoZCpLbxXfXv5idYrMsGFZxu67i2N08xNXKp4vN5LTa8wtXuDoiUnRH68PjfpyncXUd0E_d1k8Nqdl0d4Uxqr_r04E5dddZQT6gcx1CVA/s320/IMG_2122.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here we are, in Fiji and I am finding myself thinking continually about marine debris. Don’t get me wrong, the waters here are vibrant with life, colorful corals, and swarms of multi-colored fish. Our snorkel group has spent that last four days on what is know as Rainbow Reef, in the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-04hVAJyeU">Somosomo Strait</a>, off of the island of Taveuni, and the reef has lived up to it’s name. </div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
I am spending so much time thinking about marine debris because of some current projects that are happening in the Pacific Ocean. Currently the country of Kirabati, who recently gazetted the world’s largest Marine Protected Area, <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0402/feature3/index.html">The Phoenix Islands Protected Area</a>, has sent a team of researchers in to the reserve to continue documenting all that is there. The main team members are from the <a href="http://www.neaq.org/education_and_activities/blogs_webcams_videos_and_more/blogs/pipa_expedition_blog/index.php">New England Aquarium, Kirabati, Woods Hole, Scripts Institute, and Kenya</a>. None have been inside the reserve since 2005 and all are eager to see if illegal fishing and global climate change (in the form of coral bleaching) have taken their toll on the magnificence that originally inspired the protected status.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEUE0_zjhN5geyqapLAu6xhQrZWtLkNCV6f8zB5totcFIWQm5lEVhosP9xnlzXcLSmh4h0OAEPify9ICQpq1zC6thaMqCnSKzU-GVORbeb2hJLhkIDr7QmW61MwyKQA_87u7dflfAv48/s1600-h/Pg8IK.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEUE0_zjhN5geyqapLAu6xhQrZWtLkNCV6f8zB5totcFIWQm5lEVhosP9xnlzXcLSmh4h0OAEPify9ICQpq1zC6thaMqCnSKzU-GVORbeb2hJLhkIDr7QmW61MwyKQA_87u7dflfAv48/s320/Pg8IK.jpeg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhVxh7xKFnu8_N4heGFoZbcXcDcXUqIktO81IZkVERNvAOCw8X6H7Fl0l-MHlnSaed744DdGi4J2UMGzq8O7_ljAE3_kPkxn3l3SyyjvUfYfWUrr9vPDXD7WFjjka_hAWWkDgB-V8YGU/s1600-h/IMG_1174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhVxh7xKFnu8_N4heGFoZbcXcDcXUqIktO81IZkVERNvAOCw8X6H7Fl0l-MHlnSaed744DdGi4J2UMGzq8O7_ljAE3_kPkxn3l3SyyjvUfYfWUrr9vPDXD7WFjjka_hAWWkDgB-V8YGU/s320/IMG_1174.jpg" /></a></div>Also in our own backyard, at Midway Atoll in the <a href="http://papahanaumokuakea.gov/">Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument</a>, the world’s second largest Marine Protected Area, a group of <a href="http://www.midwayjourney.com/">artists and filmmakers are exploring the Atoll and recording the consequence of marine pollution</a>, specifically plastic marine debris, on the wildlife there. Plastic debris in the Pacific is increasingly being recognized as a likely cause of death for many of the Laysan and Blackfoot Albatross chicks annually. While currently (September) there are no albatross on Midway, there is however the decaying carcasses of this years unsuccessful fledglings, and almost all are loaded with plastic debris, picked up by there parents while feeding in the Pacific and regurgitated to their unsuspecting chick at Midway during the year. Each year it is estimated that over 5-tons of plastic finds its way to Midway Atoll’s islands by this route. <a href="http://www.susanscott.net/home.htm">Susan Scott</a>, from Honolulu, an artist and marine science writer for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin has also been drawing attention to Midway's (and the Pacific's) plastic problem through her art recently shown in Hawaii.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNfGJc4qu2YUHG73iIp9719av1KLn3NyxZzIRAdf68XPf8v__MD_IxGlojbBM2j4WsTjEzgVyeeVaeoAjzv3QGcSwgje8GPQU67irMiq4yxXUeKpHaM6hxGvHPKMjN_6ToHhwhdLKmSY/s1600/015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNfGJc4qu2YUHG73iIp9719av1KLn3NyxZzIRAdf68XPf8v__MD_IxGlojbBM2j4WsTjEzgVyeeVaeoAjzv3QGcSwgje8GPQU67irMiq4yxXUeKpHaM6hxGvHPKMjN_6ToHhwhdLKmSY/s320/015.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJKqaIrj9kKIsyjFecRU6FqTDVxB2GGt2I85w43TUK-zUjbmMD6ZJ5ij84-QDzrhdsqB9nXQqcnPFjmqxJTpAWzHUwM7wcvQGul1G8xL_1-mEyP5N2KrElluqMrXUaO_vU_xWqudv3lY/s1600-h/DSC_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJKqaIrj9kKIsyjFecRU6FqTDVxB2GGt2I85w43TUK-zUjbmMD6ZJ5ij84-QDzrhdsqB9nXQqcnPFjmqxJTpAWzHUwM7wcvQGul1G8xL_1-mEyP5N2KrElluqMrXUaO_vU_xWqudv3lY/s320/DSC_0577.JPG" /></a><br />
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In Kenya my friend, and artist <a href="http://www.andrew-mcnaughton.com/">Andrew McNaughton</a> is participating in a <a href="http://www.prideofkenya.co.ke/">program sponsored by the Born Free Foundation called the Pride of Kenya</a>. Various artist were selected to decorate fiberglass Lions, that will be displayed throughout Kenya and draw attention to conservation challenges that carnivores face. Since Andrew is from Watamu on the coast of Kenya he decided to decorate “his lion” with marine debris collected off the beach in front of his home. He was hoping not only to create a fantastic Psychedelic lion, but take advantage of the programs visibility and draw awareness in Kenya to the problem their coastline is also experiencing with marine debris. <a href="http://gallery.me.com/naturefinder/100034">For more photos of his marine debris art click here.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ0-MFGogBuDK-k4FYMG2yIt-vnOx17Djrod_iJ1xziEiz3zWTZ3G38grhAfpzCjV2r9FwThuieQPp0RziEMQJt2YwIBpiAY6wlKrY8zA2qbJfAS1rElY9A2t-B359ZOZ843R1vrzda4/s1600-h/DSC_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ0-MFGogBuDK-k4FYMG2yIt-vnOx17Djrod_iJ1xziEiz3zWTZ3G38grhAfpzCjV2r9FwThuieQPp0RziEMQJt2YwIBpiAY6wlKrY8zA2qbJfAS1rElY9A2t-B359ZOZ843R1vrzda4/s320/DSC_0593.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally another friend, and artist, <a href="http://www.driftwebs.com/">Pam Longobardi</a> is in Venice participating in an art show showcasing art related to the world of Water. Here are two photos of her work on display in Venice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE9rLWm7ohPAID0d1-41kbZE_yOxI1jy5xdZjN0-q6sP1kPshloXhjGUEvYjXkIzHEJEq4OMuVukwxdJSGp3sproVq5F8-PLhIj-TmGRGeiqXsEECW0WOIbUOqFyEA1ytWShrntGsm8c/s1600-h/20090307_3992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE9rLWm7ohPAID0d1-41kbZE_yOxI1jy5xdZjN0-q6sP1kPshloXhjGUEvYjXkIzHEJEq4OMuVukwxdJSGp3sproVq5F8-PLhIj-TmGRGeiqXsEECW0WOIbUOqFyEA1ytWShrntGsm8c/s320/20090307_3992.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u4m6Px3K-iVw-T-7PzHa3uKaLMS5vWX_vjhGzdEcISaq1oMTDy-JrVfhET0yfEluFA5_7ZCF-m7wQN5BVSfGN1nPg_m1LNDMFjJREgt7HpXaARzYAH6qSYcRNlH72ULS4m8PC_mApS4/s1600-h/20090307_3996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u4m6Px3K-iVw-T-7PzHa3uKaLMS5vWX_vjhGzdEcISaq1oMTDy-JrVfhET0yfEluFA5_7ZCF-m7wQN5BVSfGN1nPg_m1LNDMFjJREgt7HpXaARzYAH6qSYcRNlH72ULS4m8PC_mApS4/s320/20090307_3996.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Clicking on Pam's name above will take you to her project website where you can view her art created from marine debris also collected in Hawaii.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUCrt_P9s5CID8k-VOSjmG9r-905TNZlZsbIATOR65nX0o2uGfzcxiGca_h9r0pAh9ABeutz8h4OS8XoE-i6KbtmevCrI76glS28d3Ag_9PiiGzYmuIQgM4rZd5AaLaq0Bs5Hu9JaK7o/s1600-h/IMG_2241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUCrt_P9s5CID8k-VOSjmG9r-905TNZlZsbIATOR65nX0o2uGfzcxiGca_h9r0pAh9ABeutz8h4OS8XoE-i6KbtmevCrI76glS28d3Ag_9PiiGzYmuIQgM4rZd5AaLaq0Bs5Hu9JaK7o/s320/IMG_2241.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here in Fiji we are inspired by what we are seeing. The reef teaming with life. However we too are witnessing man's impact on the marine world. Just yesterday while swimming we saw a plastic bag floating among the table corals. Fortunately one of our group, Pam Hileman, swam over and quickly retrieved the bag. This making sure that it did not end up in a sea turtle's throat, or wrapped around and eventually killing some of live coral that we had all come so far to see. It was just one more reminder that we are ultimately responsible for what is in our seas, whether we directly put it there or not. We can no longer just turn our heads and hope that it not as bad as we think. Please follow the above groups and support their efforts. For more information about seeing and participating in the conservation of marine areas see <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/home">Oceanic Society, a marine conservation non-profit</a> based in San Francisco. Offering research programs and ecotourist trips to marine areas around the globe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1la-yxqbLRQ0e90YhGbzQe-CehXVogMS4gQnN_X5kluQJqLH8TDpBTgtWBRtxFgi_Up-3zH4soW_Y7C4Y-43bwg0UPwUNZr9OUUx0JiuflrZHouf8QEo1Qio43SRg_RiCPNDfX-pIsbQ/s1600-h/IMG_2288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1la-yxqbLRQ0e90YhGbzQe-CehXVogMS4gQnN_X5kluQJqLH8TDpBTgtWBRtxFgi_Up-3zH4soW_Y7C4Y-43bwg0UPwUNZr9OUUx0JiuflrZHouf8QEo1Qio43SRg_RiCPNDfX-pIsbQ/s320/IMG_2288.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div>naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-12430874701173883882009-05-12T14:37:00.000-04:002009-05-15T10:24:34.074-04:00Habitat Restoration is "For the Birds" at Midway Atoll<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnaKKChXtqldigbeYd0ZcXzklHJ8BelkUrO6gk3GT3Q4_DjLKdql9upla35mpiwK7TG7Ny4jqHCorZS0TCMunRHqMUDeQrKRjaka_CdtxjhJvjK6KquKtKl_L_sF-Eqf4KbpFPzGevME/s1600-h/RFBOFEET2.JPG+copy"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnaKKChXtqldigbeYd0ZcXzklHJ8BelkUrO6gk3GT3Q4_DjLKdql9upla35mpiwK7TG7Ny4jqHCorZS0TCMunRHqMUDeQrKRjaka_CdtxjhJvjK6KquKtKl_L_sF-Eqf4KbpFPzGevME/s320/RFBOFEET2.JPG+copy" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335009069825409186" border="0" /></a>One important part of our ecotourism programs to <a href="http://www.fws.gov/midway/">Midway Atoll</a> is at least a 1/2 day spent giving back to Midway. Our visitors seem to relish in taking part in the "new" battle for Midway. Since <a href="http://www.oceanicsociety.org/home">Oceanic Society</a> started bringing visitors to Midway way back in 1996, we have always tried to help the Fish and Wildlife Service in their efforts at habitat restoration. Over the years our volunteers have helped to "restore," I mean "pull weeds" at many different sites on Sand and Eastern Island. FWS has a master plan directed at how to try and combat the many invasive plant species that have found their way to Midway Atoll. On Sand Island alone over 240 non-native plant species exist. When you realize that if we could restore <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4eQcM8S3RIt1FCYoeQUaHcpq8jaY2VoFrYVTUeadt9g85AcZj9HpMMsKsu7gxhjA9t6DY_5AEsQmQlRXAFJdPwIAGZVVf8EVQ2QZdhFptOrIQmBbnC3_4BV1bxy4EDvCOjRGiCw-K1s/s1600-h/IMG_1116.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4eQcM8S3RIt1FCYoeQUaHcpq8jaY2VoFrYVTUeadt9g85AcZj9HpMMsKsu7gxhjA9t6DY_5AEsQmQlRXAFJdPwIAGZVVf8EVQ2QZdhFptOrIQmBbnC3_4BV1bxy4EDvCOjRGiCw-K1s/s320/IMG_1116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336052654793756226" border="0" /></a>Midway to its original state (before people were living on the islands) there would only be about 37 native plants species that would/should be found there. That leaves about 200 species that are trying to out compete native species! While some may enjoy the various hibiscus and plumeria that are found on Sand Island it is the more insidious invasive species that are presenting the FWS with such a habitat restoration challenge. Species like lantana, Castor bean, and ironwood take major efforts to control. But the real thorn in the side of this endeavor is a plant called Golden crown-beard or <a href="http://www.hear.org/starr/plants/images/species/?q=verbesina+encelioides">Verbesina encelioides</a>. "Verbesina" as it is called on the island is what most of our <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBzhvajPLeDI_XJlT1RJoR3iOpO6toRtuppGDtL5LIQ6MLOdWYxFq7T9gE-EUaV0NbepVNxldJw08qsJsJ6un8xQQ2k0IcUCTpmzuGG8Rs6XMEYsNR27ov9D5RC3fPP5DI0m6xeFFbgw/s1600-h/_MG_8874.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBzhvajPLeDI_XJlT1RJoR3iOpO6toRtuppGDtL5LIQ6MLOdWYxFq7T9gE-EUaV0NbepVNxldJw08qsJsJ6un8xQQ2k0IcUCTpmzuGG8Rs6XMEYsNR27ov9D5RC3fPP5DI0m6xeFFbgw/s320/_MG_8874.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336052907614080706" border="0" /></a>eco-volunteers spend their service afternoon battling. This desert adapted plant loves the sandy soil and disturbed ground conditions it finds at Midway. Add abundant rain during most of the year and this plant just takes off, growing in thick fields and sometimes getting to heights over 6-ft.!<br /><br />One of the main reasons that invasive species are so bad on the island is that they tend to not offer the advantages to the resident seabird species nesting, that native plants do. For instance native grasses grow in bunches allowing for good air flow around nesting seabirds, helping to insure that they, and their chicks do not get overheated. Native ground covers work to both hold the sandy soil in place but at the same time not getting so dense as to inhibit burrowing seabirds from digging into the ground. Invasive species like Verbesina are bad by growing so thick they block wind flow (albatross nesting areas in Verbesina can be 10 degrees (F) hotter than the same type of nesting area with native grasses), and worse, the roots are so shallow that burrowing birds can burrow, but eventually many of the burrows will collapse, trapping adults or chicks inside. So much of the effort directed at invasive species control on Midway is to restore habitat to help enhance success of native seabirds that are nesting on Midway atoll. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAx0ftCdTHqvnHDF73Gq6V1dD-pLJHb0fiSXiSMV-QoHtYpJ3Yhp1aAtFa7BSnEgQOs0yyCmBoPRbIdyh_llun-08IZ4A6akOdtyf0ZJbhnXSbYPMaHhc9YUz91BT0oII7w1JgFyGAgy8/s1600-h/IMG_7255.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAx0ftCdTHqvnHDF73Gq6V1dD-pLJHb0fiSXiSMV-QoHtYpJ3Yhp1aAtFa7BSnEgQOs0yyCmBoPRbIdyh_llun-08IZ4A6akOdtyf0ZJbhnXSbYPMaHhc9YUz91BT0oII7w1JgFyGAgy8/s320/IMG_7255.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336053320523053122" border="0" /></a>Everything from Laysan Albatross, to Red-footed Boobies, to Christmas Shearwaters <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0oB74gnfufsm6IeIVJUEIibUsQJlUS-pSK3VKv0U5owWj9_ywXzrxeMKhSFFaLTCs92lyFGdJv2PtN4xekyMrK0mrq49EFRRV2utWo2uQBMzK36izefU2PPdtxL9h_InOA0wNJz060Y/s1600-h/IMG_1303.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0oB74gnfufsm6IeIVJUEIibUsQJlUS-pSK3VKv0U5owWj9_ywXzrxeMKhSFFaLTCs92lyFGdJv2PtN4xekyMrK0mrq49EFRRV2utWo2uQBMzK36izefU2PPdtxL9h_InOA0wNJz060Y/s320/IMG_1303.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336054028465771570" border="0" /></a>benefit from the efforts of FWS and eco-volunteers to remove invasive flora and replant native species. These two pictures above show just how effective these efforts can be. They are both taken at the same location one year apart. The first picture shows our April '08 group out-planting bunch grass in an area that has a history of Verbesina control. The second picture taken this past April '09, and shows what that area and what the outplanted bunch grass (Eragrostis variabilis) looks like one year later. It is truly amazing how quickly these areas can be restored through regular weeding and outplantings. All of our service activities related to habitat restoration are under the guidance of FWS "weed combatant" extraordinaire <a href="http://www.hear.org/starr/plants/images/image/?q=080605-6721">Greg Schubert</a>, who oversees the native plant propagation, habitat restoration, and weed control efforts at Midway Atoll. In January and February 2009 alone, Greg directed and participated in the out-planting of over 2000 native plants on Midway. His efforts to return to these outplanted areas on a regular basis, selectively controlling the invasives before they can reestablish, are an on-going management plan that is methodically and effectively restoring many acres of seabird habitat. Although I said these areas are quickly restored, that term is relative when you consider his 5 year commitment to this effort, and the fact that many more years, and volunteer efforts will be needed to see all of Midway's invasive species removed, or at least controlled.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Weeding also helps to open up space for nesting seabirds. This can be even more important when you are trying to opening up habitat area for endangered seabirds in efforts to have them recover historic breeding sites.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfV_DjutnhHgbNLHIKxz0l4XluXe_S704h7ssQi_0soku4CZM6uRxPZqwcKiuzFiLtwICFFQkihhYrlcTZipqxlWLkmR4L5RCtfxKFlzuBY_uxqNqLeo_mP04DrrPqJSPAPq4UGXsiDo/s1600-h/EADec2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfV_DjutnhHgbNLHIKxz0l4XluXe_S704h7ssQi_0soku4CZM6uRxPZqwcKiuzFiLtwICFFQkihhYrlcTZipqxlWLkmR4L5RCtfxKFlzuBY_uxqNqLeo_mP04DrrPqJSPAPq4UGXsiDo/s320/EADec2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336054316212387522" border="0" /></a> Since 2001 Midway Atoll has utilized <a href="http://www.fws.gov/midway/stal.html">Short-tailed Albatross</a> decoys to attempt to attract the Golden Goonies to once again nest on Midway's islands. On Eastern Island about 25 "fancy" decoys are placed out each year. Here is a picture from that first year when the plot was weeded to make sure that any passing Short-tailed Albatross would be sure to spot the brightly painted decoys. Short-tailed albatross recorded calls are also employed at the decoy site. This idea was conceived by <a href="http://audubonmagazine.org/profile/profile0312.html">Stephen Kress</a> who has used the combination of brightly colored decoys and recordings successfully with <a href="http://www.projectpuffin.org/">puffins on rock islands in Maine.</a> 8 years later the decoys and sound system seem to be working. Recently, an adult and sub-adult have been seen dancing at the decoy site.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6pFAkxa8rUEnNp68KxyADUWOBl4WdLZiNMkzgeB9MMHcyuzbpulPctl11HOE_oHgaP7esI9o9d4E9h_7pLX2e-nQQgfe8ucDnlCX3dU1-W1PvCTsN0-Txbbl5G-t2mx_znUpkxWBvws/s1600-h/BOSESTAL2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6pFAkxa8rUEnNp68KxyADUWOBl4WdLZiNMkzgeB9MMHcyuzbpulPctl11HOE_oHgaP7esI9o9d4E9h_7pLX2e-nQQgfe8ucDnlCX3dU1-W1PvCTsN0-Txbbl5G-t2mx_znUpkxWBvws/s320/BOSESTAL2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336054695337030610" border="0" /></a> It is hoped that over the next few years Midway may see its first successful Short-tailed albatross nest in over 40 years! Thanks to the multi-year efforts of dedicated FWS employees and volunteers, hundreds of extra eco-volunteer hours, and original thinkers like Stephen Kress the new battle of Midway is slowly being won. Even though the Vebesina is still thick in many places, and other "bad" plant species like wild poinsettia and sandbur will create new problems, the current efforts of Greg and his crew are gaining ground. These small advances may seem to take forever for us, but for the seabirds that call these islands home, (and even those who are struggling to recover a home they once had) the ongoing habitat restoration efforts continue to help their populations recover from years of exploitation and decline at the hands of man.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT6udsShgcTl1Az1Wfw1KQ-9HR4H75RNLtFBxvXzaYmC5WvHx0xmn4FcbjZKK9G6nGzW7Eo40MfjMIS7ys6qF5GY2CMp7dRP5_4c139F3sarZoTLSi9mqTb7YFotZ0PKR5UF7hvMrKSk/s1600-h/STAL2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT6udsShgcTl1Az1Wfw1KQ-9HR4H75RNLtFBxvXzaYmC5WvHx0xmn4FcbjZKK9G6nGzW7Eo40MfjMIS7ys6qF5GY2CMp7dRP5_4c139F3sarZoTLSi9mqTb7YFotZ0PKR5UF7hvMrKSk/s320/STAL2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336055146520255730" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;"> Short-tailed Albatross at decoy plot 2008</span><br /></div>naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-5534042662070044122009-04-19T19:18:00.000-04:002009-04-19T21:24:58.402-04:00Incredible Snorkeling at Papahanaumokuakea - Midway AtollWe have had some great days in <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpo8DgeErp40TJajgjwf3XsWGn85U598nvTXsiLkKkdE1xDUVWySAWMKZnZdBWa2mEXV2PoGaozSh7PJtlr7Jon4NIZ2-x6-0z6pHkICDQBCVsmwJ8IXbMeeDnZ7sHMlKiU2I-lkLKe3s/s1600-h/IMG_1421_4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpo8DgeErp40TJajgjwf3XsWGn85U598nvTXsiLkKkdE1xDUVWySAWMKZnZdBWa2mEXV2PoGaozSh7PJtlr7Jon4NIZ2-x6-0z6pHkICDQBCVsmwJ8IXbMeeDnZ7sHMlKiU2I-lkLKe3s/s320/IMG_1421_4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326576822569439026" border="0" /></a>the water here at Midway Atoll.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaOdM88vXxCacnRofADZAfGxLd9jmNcqFda2Nzou3sm4Y2omH92cgrvgd43_2EwvNs1sMgNLl5RZXylMbjt4ZSAgXi6hc1mcgy8sogaqbn-urAfG6lyp7GBBzCvD0IIfkGuMJSoERHII/s1600-h/IMG_1418.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaOdM88vXxCacnRofADZAfGxLd9jmNcqFda2Nzou3sm4Y2omH92cgrvgd43_2EwvNs1sMgNLl5RZXylMbjt4ZSAgXi6hc1mcgy8sogaqbn-urAfG6lyp7GBBzCvD0IIfkGuMJSoERHII/s320/IMG_1418.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326577001795000194" border="0" /></a> Snorkeling under the cargo pier off the shore, and venturing out to the emergent reef have provided many opportunities to view some magnificent marine animals. These images are of a Frogfish sighted in about 2-ft. of water along one of the concrete supports of the large Cargo Pier. The next photos show a few of the many sea slugs that we also observed at the same location. Two snorkels have resulted in 5 varieties of sea slugs, or nudibranchs sighted. Thanks to the <a href="http://www.marinelifephotography.com/default.htm">website of Keoki and Yuko Stender</a>, former dive master's at Midway Atoll and avid underwater photographers I was able to ID some of the more unusual marinelife that we have been encountering on our snorkels. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbBZVw1VixWoRI2ATRungqWyjK25_YYY6eIYbsMvnBEeDdxA28hLP5hIpWWfjuR1EgOb0QLRUB5eT_Sq3oWcfJomazhnnL0ka1dBU5jJgimMhE3ocXrFAF0P_tDbrfo4jZ-tvX4hO1Hg/s1600-h/IMG_1427.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbBZVw1VixWoRI2ATRungqWyjK25_YYY6eIYbsMvnBEeDdxA28hLP5hIpWWfjuR1EgOb0QLRUB5eT_Sq3oWcfJomazhnnL0ka1dBU5jJgimMhE3ocXrFAF0P_tDbrfo4jZ-tvX4hO1Hg/s320/IMG_1427.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326556147349145506" border="0" /></a>Many of these nudibranchs are easily seen since they are most commonly found on the support posts under the pier. No matter what month we arrive at Midway there always seems to be some species of slug busy navigating the substrate. Nudibranchs generally are<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5u4hMCIpurGyYJVHIxPo6W73a0pq-sSlUtLxnia5Twn21GkS-QPa84u6UfK9OsIdOKBIQyrqBaMvi6OkOPubtQ6OBehB6obZBOVpzm3h2KNJjyiynEWliI3pDi2XScW4avmswb4Y96Y/s1600-h/IMG_1353_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5u4hMCIpurGyYJVHIxPo6W73a0pq-sSlUtLxnia5Twn21GkS-QPa84u6UfK9OsIdOKBIQyrqBaMvi6OkOPubtQ6OBehB6obZBOVpzm3h2KNJjyiynEWliI3pDi2XScW4avmswb4Y96Y/s320/IMG_1353_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326577603272229474" border="0" /></a> brightly colored and feed on sponges, hydriods, or sometimes even each other. Their bright color serves to warn other marine organisms that they are not very tasty and would be a bad meal choice. In fact many nudibranchs can incorporate the stinging cells or chemicals from the animals they eat into their own bodies, using them for their own defense. Although brightly colored, most slugs are less than a few inches long.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfegMMDjas91NIKOiVTUMTXmd7whXOMP9Ygenpa3HQR2-XjeCY4cZW7Va48FOKRZ22eD1GqFxpVd1nthwhfoe3xXwcvNk38UUtTny2roKGPmNW_gJi5cfOEuzls5MEYjPydgicp_AicQg/s1600-h/IMG_1373.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfegMMDjas91NIKOiVTUMTXmd7whXOMP9Ygenpa3HQR2-XjeCY4cZW7Va48FOKRZ22eD1GqFxpVd1nthwhfoe3xXwcvNk38UUtTny2roKGPmNW_gJi5cfOEuzls5MEYjPydgicp_AicQg/s320/IMG_1373.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326558071967137890" border="0" /></a> Under the pier larger animals are also encountered. We came face to face with many green sea turtles. They seem to enjoy the pier as a resting area and can be seen sleeping underneath the many beams and concrete pieces that are scattered underneath the pier. Once they are done resting they rise to the surface and head off to other areas of the island. It is always a great treat to have these marine reptiles swim right by you. Thanks to the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.wpcouncil.org/Protected/Documents/Balazs_Chal_HIgr.pdf">great conservation efforts in Hawaiian waters over the last 30 + years </a>the Hawaiian green sea turtle population is one of the true success stories in the conservation world.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0KlrZBjAsMtDtowIeMG0zVvVjOIIimRN10cxW_nU6nIigYVS6TGmPhyphenhyphenk232KidqDTwNX2XJQTD8eGKQsByznMbSH4vqOxsf6Rrnfwrxo5UJRrDfKh26uZKZFPM6o8LJLZjBey8KLqPU/s1600-h/IMG_1341.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0KlrZBjAsMtDtowIeMG0zVvVjOIIimRN10cxW_nU6nIigYVS6TGmPhyphenhyphenk232KidqDTwNX2XJQTD8eGKQsByznMbSH4vqOxsf6Rrnfwrxo5UJRrDfKh26uZKZFPM6o8LJLZjBey8KLqPU/s320/IMG_1341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326560513395826946" border="0" /></a> There are also many different fish species here as well. Sometimes small groups of large Ulua, with individuals weighting 70-lbs or more will swim right underneath you.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWuB1cEGPh1kFRVDQI_221jCRpLMb5ylO8t6IWfMCaYmoEW4BI0nZOc9P_c_YU-HeE3-tyEz-RppzVICV_w3DD_NGR-_9FsMp495LDas63wnxx2z0-7NFl7pe0_1IPZPB5v34Er3ESWw/s1600-h/IMG_3748.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWuB1cEGPh1kFRVDQI_221jCRpLMb5ylO8t6IWfMCaYmoEW4BI0nZOc9P_c_YU-HeE3-tyEz-RppzVICV_w3DD_NGR-_9FsMp495LDas63wnxx2z0-7NFl7pe0_1IPZPB5v34Er3ESWw/s320/IMG_3748.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326569425831801026" border="0" /></a> Large schools of goatfish and Thicklipped jacks are also abundant.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcfw_GLCI6_AMz7-delDC0mx1sGSq3zYYeZ9ih1Hwz0CJj5qBooOvGfmxnSofe5waufgTTeAVqE92hxJNDuvGQ9YXb9ZIKLFUX_S9tRTuyB_itn0ldp671KxYWmZ7kZ5bc8kf0pJZPqo/s1600-h/IMG_1409.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcfw_GLCI6_AMz7-delDC0mx1sGSq3zYYeZ9ih1Hwz0CJj5qBooOvGfmxnSofe5waufgTTeAVqE92hxJNDuvGQ9YXb9ZIKLFUX_S9tRTuyB_itn0ldp671KxYWmZ7kZ5bc8kf0pJZPqo/s320/IMG_1409.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326562129582551986" border="0" /></a> Eels are <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6QGnNsORpgVVqXZIttm3hmv7ovyL8RJ7FRUICrdu_-Nz7q4E2Aq2-_KMpNkFHS0x9MU8aIaedXfT8Tu06yOFMq4egPLn_1u2YvBYS-r8JuMutIiQ76wBIHEg7MJ8-uCxvuW474MqHpE/s1600-h/IMG_1331.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6QGnNsORpgVVqXZIttm3hmv7ovyL8RJ7FRUICrdu_-Nz7q4E2Aq2-_KMpNkFHS0x9MU8aIaedXfT8Tu06yOFMq4egPLn_1u2YvBYS-r8JuMutIiQ76wBIHEg7MJ8-uCxvuW474MqHpE/s320/IMG_1331.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326575545388651842" border="0" /></a>often found poking out of small holes in the pilings.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Each time we can get in the water, we are full of expectations about what we might be lucky enough to encounter. Rarely does time in the ocean at Papahanaumokuakea disappoint. Check back soon for more pictures from the lagoon snorkels.naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-19077327098649531142009-04-16T15:17:00.000-04:002009-04-27T17:33:44.310-04:00First Day on Midway Atoll - Oceanic Society Ecotourist Visitors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYczlFIZ174RNxphHR_fugKGYObD3GShuTadntg4PoQip-BXzkiTBXOfU011B9S55yIzrIp2ThBGbQcwcF40V5im2ms6JR4P1M3iiO8VWwhqvpXrV3BAB0uhvQWFiLCaZhI8jUkB8ELWM/s1600-h/IMG_3730.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYczlFIZ174RNxphHR_fugKGYObD3GShuTadntg4PoQip-BXzkiTBXOfU011B9S55yIzrIp2ThBGbQcwcF40V5im2ms6JR4P1M3iiO8VWwhqvpXrV3BAB0uhvQWFiLCaZhI8jUkB8ELWM/s200/IMG_3730.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324998166032943730" border="0" /></a><br />Well all 15 of us arrived on Midway Atoll at about 8:45 PM on the 13th of April. After a 4.5 hour charter flight from Honolulu we arrive at night. During the "albatross nesting season" planes are only allowed to land at night, when albatross are less likely to be flying and bird strikes are less probable. On arrival we are met by two Refuge "limo" golf carts and are whisked away to what will be our home for the next 8 days amid the whines of dancing albatross and the erratic flight paths of the thousands of swooping <a href="http://www.fws.gov/midway/bope.html">Bonin Petrels</a>. Once settled in the lobby of Charlie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBJrGAGBL6b9sfSHhz77UkUn4LvFVQGgjue8CAr_Jy5c4fX_sZtIoud4QB1krh0pq2e_rWSsXrX8MIlaPyTZTaVKcETkC3XblWfQTRb6LWOlSTXzXu46bED6X9JOtpp_Evc0xSzZRDqM/s1600-h/IMG_1286.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBJrGAGBL6b9sfSHhz77UkUn4LvFVQGgjue8CAr_Jy5c4fX_sZtIoud4QB1krh0pq2e_rWSsXrX8MIlaPyTZTaVKcETkC3XblWfQTRb6LWOlSTXzXu46bED6X9JOtpp_Evc0xSzZRDqM/s320/IMG_1286.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325356201289369362" border="0" /></a> Barracks we are given a brief orientation and allowed to head off to our rooms. Many people quickly return to the lobby eager to get outside and listen to the birds and take a long look at the amazing display of starts that being so far away from any light source allows.<br /><br />In the morning we head off to breakfast at the "Clipper House" Midway's central hub and mess hall, named to honor the history of the <a href="http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Commercial_Aviation/china_clipper/Tran5.htm">Pam Am Clippers</a> that used to stop here in the 1930's on their way to Asia. It was a wonderful morning and for many their first true glimpse (in the daylight) of what Midway has to offer.<br /><br />New arrivals to Midway must take part in a FWS orientation as their first activity on Midway. Since we are all sharing the island with many critically endangered and threatened<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0X6ql11TouzvTUtBDJXguN4nmP0H717k2HyzYRmXBY_J2EeaDyhZ8VAbgXFis_yAeitSQm-QGWQezHewOnikIw1-h3jFLa0j6wx3NFZhHV7Pc1DBpteucbCB39Wy6ugIk-5UmEMvj2_w/s1600-h/IMG_1295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0X6ql11TouzvTUtBDJXguN4nmP0H717k2HyzYRmXBY_J2EeaDyhZ8VAbgXFis_yAeitSQm-QGWQezHewOnikIw1-h3jFLa0j6wx3NFZhHV7Pc1DBpteucbCB39Wy6ugIk-5UmEMvj2_w/s320/IMG_1295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325359131880362674" border="0" /></a> species this orientation is vital to the visitors ability to understand the responsibilities, and role they play while on Midway in the safe stewardship of these islands. Additionally the orientation serves to make everyone aware of the significance these atolls have played in Hawaiian cultural history as well as more recent US history. During the orientation, which is presented by FWS visitor coordinator, Tracy Ammerman, all are given a map of Sand Island. This map helps everyone to navigate on their own around <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkZY7FY6IFVG3CP8XJkx5Ez2fQ8K46gYealjSrTnqp-tm_eKdWvNU0wX9oq38gz1qAVpp_Fvd-ccVO7JzAbv2Tc7nTy9zWydNtWj8T-gvTnDi5EmA2nSFFFaZuOaNCQ1dhGOkNT3Yf78/s1600-h/IMG_1297.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkZY7FY6IFVG3CP8XJkx5Ez2fQ8K46gYealjSrTnqp-tm_eKdWvNU0wX9oq38gz1qAVpp_Fvd-ccVO7JzAbv2Tc7nTy9zWydNtWj8T-gvTnDi5EmA2nSFFFaZuOaNCQ1dhGOkNT3Yf78/s320/IMG_1297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325361221889823666" border="0" /></a>the island, understanding which areas are open and have maintained trails, and what areas are closed due to conservation or safety concerns. The orientation and the lectures that will be given throughout the week help everyone to understand and appreciate why certain places on the island are left as wildlife only areas, and where viewing and access points for visitors have been established. After orientation the next order of business is for everyone to choose their own traditional Midway "horse" that will be used to get around the island over the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1rK_RkbO5aazo3SGgJOxR70Lfs3YK6IGZbi-rG2EpuWyzcYRPL_jX3a-isi7RDaYTxwc3ytERkmK_YHurijqnjq8Cwfn6CXF0uWu_SGpX9DB-Hs89A2p6gAtjFLE9musuYe51BrDh6c/s1600-h/IMG_1299.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1rK_RkbO5aazo3SGgJOxR70Lfs3YK6IGZbi-rG2EpuWyzcYRPL_jX3a-isi7RDaYTxwc3ytERkmK_YHurijqnjq8Cwfn6CXF0uWu_SGpX9DB-Hs89A2p6gAtjFLE9musuYe51BrDh6c/s320/IMG_1299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325363329125255666" border="0" /></a>next week. These "horses" or bikes that we have to choose from were all supplied through donations made to the <a href="http://www.friendsofmidway.org/">Friends of Midway</a><a href="http://www.friendsofmidway.org/"> Atoll</a> an organization formed to specifically support Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.<br /><br />Now that all the visitors have the needed knowledge to explore the island on their own and have a "horse" to navigate the paths full of albatross and chicks they are ready to enjoy the next 7 days on Midway. We are lucky to start off this week with amazing weather. One of the first places everyone wanted to go was the beach. We headed off to the cargo pier to see what we would find. On arrival we saw a <a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/pinnipeds/hawaiianmonkseal.htm">Hawaiian monk seal</a> on a nearby beach, about 16 <a href="http://www.turtles.org/hawgrnd.htm">green sea turtles</a> sunning on an adjacent beach known oddly enough as "Turtle Beach" and then heard 7 <a href="http://audubon2.org/watchlist/viewSpecies.jsp?id=48">Bristle-thighed Curlews</a> as they flew overhead. As we looked down one <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopAvUPksq3PLU-k7pyJrQyphWUYRp7b1OEw7bdRbRS7gozpBkq6DQTSotZ3bjqQNsv3oqxXb_N55SRkBJkO1F4SJsE-i5Xh91YHSX5UVsKnXgBAwgnf2GiLwYu0xxjg9bBIeBPohxaYI/s1600-h/IMG_1300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopAvUPksq3PLU-k7pyJrQyphWUYRp7b1OEw7bdRbRS7gozpBkq6DQTSotZ3bjqQNsv3oqxXb_N55SRkBJkO1F4SJsE-i5Xh91YHSX5UVsKnXgBAwgnf2GiLwYu0xxjg9bBIeBPohxaYI/s320/IMG_1300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325365924326611010" border="0" /></a>side of the beach we noticed some washed up nets and marine debris that could pose a hazard to the wildlife we were seeing. The group decided to collect the various pieces of netting and line that were there. In about 10 minutes we had cleaned the beach of about 50-lbs of marine debris and taken our first action to participate in one of the missions of the Refuge, to provide a safe habitat for the wildlife that live there<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk-j-_f3Wpr-I23rxSx0IBKX1G9ARddloxJuWOShmIJqp4ppr-YAFJBjsRe1lzawX6nELixoYSfk5Oy_JLl0ptGJTYxZWzXr8uhofiLhHVwW14TYfp9zjVHrMVvdwUxUztg670mB9HrU/s1600-h/IMG_1317.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk-j-_f3Wpr-I23rxSx0IBKX1G9ARddloxJuWOShmIJqp4ppr-YAFJBjsRe1lzawX6nELixoYSfk5Oy_JLl0ptGJTYxZWzXr8uhofiLhHVwW14TYfp9zjVHrMVvdwUxUztg670mB9HrU/s320/IMG_1317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325366332369051858" border="0" /></a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />all images are © Wayne Sentman 2009</span></span>naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6476092358112554912.post-81569517532128290862009-03-11T13:52:00.000-04:002009-04-27T17:33:18.671-04:00Plastic Debris and Albatross on Midway Atoll<a href="http://www.fws.gov/midway/">Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge</a> (MANWR) is encompassed in the newly designated, and second largest marine protected area in the world, The <a href="http://www.fws.gov/midway/monument.html">Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument</a> (PMNM) (Figure 1). Midway Atoll lies 1200 miles northwest of Honolulu, Hawaii and is home to the worlds largest breeding colonies of two of the 3 North Pacific albatross species, the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/midway/laal.html">Laysan Albatross</a> (LAAL), listed globally as vulnerable (<a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/144905">IUCN 2008</a>), and the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/midway/bfal.html">Black-footed Albatross</a> (BFAL), listed globally as endangered (<a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/144904">IUCN 2008</a>). The 2009 annual nest counts (every albatross nest on Midway’s 3 islands are counted) were just completed (2 January) and the preliminary data show 398,182 nesting pairs of LAAL and 23,955 nesting pairs of BFAL (USFWS, unpubl. data).<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Figure 1 – <a href="http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/pgallery/atlasmaps/nwhimnm.html">Map</a> Showing the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument<br /></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Rq-rNFCsrYecjr0b2leblmdPkLfdgMH3hm4s7buMd0n105khYIhLUlBMffdHunwuapBOyXGJzfEHks9_iMQAUxH-VEUmyGZ26DDHKX2796f1uuQR9K_-LoqofN3BDJ-D1aHcBK3w3Yk/s1600-h/papamap.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Rq-rNFCsrYecjr0b2leblmdPkLfdgMH3hm4s7buMd0n105khYIhLUlBMffdHunwuapBOyXGJzfEHks9_iMQAUxH-VEUmyGZ26DDHKX2796f1uuQR9K_-LoqofN3BDJ-D1aHcBK3w3Yk/s320/papamap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311991518285507906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" > Map reproduced with permission of NOAA monument office</span><br /><br />Disturbingly these breeding grounds and the PMNM also are adjacent to two of the largest concentrations of floating <a href="http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/marinedebris101/welcome.html">marine debris</a> in the world’s oceans. Plastic debris makes up the 90% of the floating marine debris found in the ocean (<a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/oceans/la-me-ocean2aug02,0,3130914.story">Weiss, 2006</a>). One of those concentrations, the "Eastern Garbage Patch” is approximately twice the size of Texas (<a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch.htm">Silverman, 2007</a>). Both Albatross species nesting on MANWR and throughout the rest of the atolls in the PMNM spend much of their time feeding in areas adjacent to or directly in this “<a href="http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ocean/Moore-Trashed-PacificNov03.htm">Garbage Patch</a>” (<a href="http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=78471">Fernandez et al. 2001</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/albatross-biology-and-conservation/dp/0949324825/ref=sr_1_1/105-4497890-5315628?ie=utf8&s=books&qid=1184192115&sr=1-1">Auman et al. 1997</a>). It is primarily while feeding that albatross ingest a variety of plastic items (Figure 2).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Figure 2 - Diversity of Swallowed Plastic Items Recovered From Albatross Chicks</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C51AiGLy0IsgTBiimVhpCcZff1QFQrR4cQbdAYqvbeY1exkFab7Cks2KZPO70wNaCUW0wiZ8fEL8jZXHP6EghMVY9TkZpFuXPxOBRE1BxFMzIaHgbTKVJVXonIDgvi0DY1cOAMNuS8w/s1600-h/00261_s_8abgaf4k8181.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2C51AiGLy0IsgTBiimVhpCcZff1QFQrR4cQbdAYqvbeY1exkFab7Cks2KZPO70wNaCUW0wiZ8fEL8jZXHP6EghMVY9TkZpFuXPxOBRE1BxFMzIaHgbTKVJVXonIDgvi0DY1cOAMNuS8w/s320/00261_s_8abgaf4k8181.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312002031528533634" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">© 2009 <a href="http://imagiverse.org/interviews/heidiauman/heidi_auman_03_03_08.htm">Heidi Auman</a> reproduced with permission</span></span><br /><br />In doing so, they risk repeated exposure to an array of potentially toxic compounds (<a href="http://www.setacjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1897%2F1551-5028%281996%29015%3C1793%3APSCHIA%3E2.3.CO%3B2">Jones et al. 1996</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/albatross-biology-and-conservation/dp/0949324825/ref=sr_1_1/105-4497890-5315628?ie=utf8&s=books&qid=1184192115&sr=1-1">Ludwig et al. 1997</a>, <a href="http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es0010498?journalCode=esthag&quickLinkVolume=35&quickLinkPage=318&volume=35">Mato et al. 2001</a>, and <a href="http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/1051-0761%282006%29016%5B0678%3AASDRDI%5D2.0.CO%3B2">Finkelstein et al. 2006</a>). Further by regurgitating meals to their young, frequently loaded with this plastic, the true risks of this exposure may happen miles away from the point of contact, and some of these potential toxins may end up effecting the land-based albatross chicks more severely than the adults directly feeding in these areas.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Albatross chick carcass from Midway showing plastic present in gut at death.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBfQ6C4gH1zGGYFCM8STKj8TtJAsO0ofqg4_RqUh8tCXNYLW_3JNtNMjyEBVZ4S9GMFQZOMSDHnawEND0rXGjFL08HegGLZBjolYxJIkBBtgeAUxZFdDj2xtETJwdLWE_C-0OlHNAvo0/s1600-h/IMG_1169.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBfQ6C4gH1zGGYFCM8STKj8TtJAsO0ofqg4_RqUh8tCXNYLW_3JNtNMjyEBVZ4S9GMFQZOMSDHnawEND0rXGjFL08HegGLZBjolYxJIkBBtgeAUxZFdDj2xtETJwdLWE_C-0OlHNAvo0/s320/IMG_1169.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311997059785376018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" > © 2009 Wayne Sentman</span></span><br /></div><br />Plastic debris has been identified as a growing problem in the Pacific Ocean (<a href="http://www.algalita.org/research.html">A.M.R.F., 2007</a>). The currents or gyres that cause the pacific garbage patches to accumulate also are responsible for focusing some of that impact directly on LAAL and BFAL. This as a result of overlap between where these gyres concentrate marine debris and the areas of the north pacific in which the albatross are spending their time feeding (<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.fws.gov/pacific/migratorybirds/Albatross%20Action%20Plan%20ver.1.0.pdf">Naughton et al, 2007</a>). Additionally while many species of seabirds are known to ingest plastic (<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.oceancommission.gov/documents/full_color_rpt/18_chapter18.pdf">Laist, 1997</a>), both the LAAL and BFAL albatross chicks have been shown to regularly have relatively high, and increasing total amounts of plastic in their guts (<a href="http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v086n02/index.php">Kenyon and Kridler, 1969</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/albatross-biology-and-conservation/dp/0949324825/ref=sr_1_1/105-4497890-5315628?ie=utf8&s=books&qid=1184192115&sr=1-1">Auman et al. 1997</a>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.fws.gov/pacific/migratorybirds/Albatross%20Action%20Plan%20ver.1.0.pdf">Naughton et al. 2007</a>). This is also compounded (for chicks) by not being able to expel, through regurgitation, any items in their gut until about 3 to 4 months of age. Therefore plastic brought to the chicks through the parents many feedings tends to sit and accumulate in the chicks’ digestive tract for long periods of time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHONWKiNhsSbncU0pl5djFBHW7g1wisUuOuub_9b-HCJrcJbxSZ8qwutrVTD0CeDVnE_87S1_vV18SLrwj1QC8Qr9sHLvDPehufQBDkEtyjDeyD8LFqxKeKIryZALwJ8vMCReNr4BPUzs/s1600-h/IMG_1174.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHONWKiNhsSbncU0pl5djFBHW7g1wisUuOuub_9b-HCJrcJbxSZ8qwutrVTD0CeDVnE_87S1_vV18SLrwj1QC8Qr9sHLvDPehufQBDkEtyjDeyD8LFqxKeKIryZALwJ8vMCReNr4BPUzs/s320/IMG_1174.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311998550520295650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" >© 2009 Wayne Sentman<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/july-dec08/plasticocean_11-13.html">This accumulated plastic has been shown to have detrimental effects</a> to the success and survival of the albatross chicks (<a href="http://www.jwildlifedis.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/3/329?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&volume=26&firstpage=329&resourcetype=HWCIT">Sileo et al. 1990</a> and <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V6N-4KPX2MW-8&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=8dd14fbc4f8e3c43e73d94878699a823">Fry et al. 1987</a>). Additionally past research has shown high levels of organochlorine contaminants in albatross adults and chicks (<a href="http://www.setacjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1897%2F1551-5028%281997%29016%3C0498%3APDDATE%3E2.3.CO%3B2">Auman et al. 1997</a> and <a href="http://www.setacjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1897%2F06-505R.1">Finkelstein et al. 2007</a>) and this likely has a relationship to ingested plastics.<br /><br /><br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/CharlesMoore_2009U-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/CharlesMoore-2009U.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=470" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/CharlesMoore_2009U-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/CharlesMoore-2009U.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=470"></embed></object><br /><br /></div></div>naturefinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17822012162916179090noreply@blogger.com1